The Springbok Women expect a physical and unpredictable challenge from the Vodafone Fijiana XV when the two sides meet in a historic Test match at 2pm this Saturday at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Springbok Women vice-captain and flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg says her side knows what to expect from Fiji and are ready to match the Fijiana's physical style of play.
Janse van Rensburg says Fiji is an unpredictable team that will be in their faces throughout the match, but South Africa will not shy away from the challenge.
She says the squad has now switched into Test mode after recovering from a two-day journey to Fiji and adjusting to the 10-hour time difference.
Janse van Rensburg says while this is the longest trip the team has made for a Test match, it is all part of their preparations for the remainder of the season and the lead-up to the 2028 Women's Rugby World Cup in Australia.
She says the absence of some experienced players, who remained in South Africa as part of a conditioning programme, has created an opportunity for other players to prove they deserve a regular place in the squad while also testing the team's depth.
The experienced playmaker, who is set to earn her 33rd Test cap, says she hopes to use her experience to guide the team, control the game at flyhalf and ensure the players stick to their game plan.
Janse van Rensburg also highlighted the breakdown as a key area South Africa must improve after it proved costly in their recent defeat to the USA, saying they will need to be much better in that area if they want to beat Fiji.
The Springbok Women's match-day squad for Saturday's Test will be announced tomorrow.
Source: Super Sports
