The Springbok Women opened their two-Test tour to Fiji with a commanding 55-12 win over the Fijiana XV at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday, running in nine tries in conditions that played directly into their hands.
Rain and blustery weather greeted the teams, and the Bok pack thrived in it. Dominant at scrum, lineout and maul, the forwards laid the platform throughout, particularly in the first half when the South Africans built a 27-7 lead.
Loosehead prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo opened the scoring with her first Test try in 13 appearances, finishing off a training-field move that bypassed the lineout option in favour of a quick tap. Tighthead Nombuyekezo Mdliki followed from another pick-and-drive, before No 8 Aseza Hele — returning after a lengthy stint on the injured list — made an immediate impact with a strong run from a turnover that created the platform for flanker Lindelwa Gwala, also back from her own layoff, to cross from a lineout drive and push the lead to 15-0.
Fiji responded when a misdirected kick gave them the counter-attacking space they look for, and flyhalf Varanaise Qoro converted the opportunity to make it 15-7. South Africa hit back immediately from the restart, with Vainah Ubisi scoring from close range, Libbie Janse van Rensburg converting for 22-7, before flanker Sizo Solontsi added a fifth try from another driving lineout to send the teams to half-time at 27-7.
Fiji came out sharper after the break and a second stray kick handed wing Adi Vani Buleki a try to make it 27-12, raising the prospect of a home comeback. It was short-lived. Fijian No 8 Alfreda Fisher's high tackle on Catha Jacobs — who had replaced the injured Lerato Makua before half-time — was upgraded from yellow to red after a TMO review, and South Africa made the numerical advantage count immediately.
Khuzwayo claimed her second of the match from another disguised move off a lineout, with Byrhandré Dolf, who took over kicking duties, converting for 34-12. Dolf had earlier saved a potential Fijian breakout with a decisive tackle after the first-half restart. Wing Maceala Samboya then finished off a backline move featuring sharp work from Zintle Mpupha to extend the lead to 41-12 with half an hour remaining.
South Africa ran out 55-12 winners, a result that represents their most comprehensive victory on Fijian soil.