Springbok Women recall Hele for landmark Fiji Test double-header

Aseza Hele has been recalled to a 26-player Springbok Women squad for a landmark two-Test tour of Fiji next month, as South Africa prepare to face the Fijiana XV in Suva and Lautoka.

The experienced No.8, one of the standout performers at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in September last year, returns after missing both the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in May and this month’s two-Test series against USA Women’s Eagles following hand surgery. She has been passed fit to travel and will feature with the national side for the first time since that World Cup campaign.

South Africa will play Fijiana XV twice, with the first Test at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on 8 August (04:00 SA time, 14:00 Fiji time), followed by a second match at Churchill Park in Lautoka on 15 August (05:00 SA time, 15:00 Fiji time).

Key forwards back from injury

Hooker Lindelwa Gwala, the Springbok Women’s most-capped player in her position, also returns to the fold after a calf injury ruled her out of both the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and the series against the USA.

Backline duo Patience Mokone and Zintle Mpupha, who have both represented the Springbok Women’s Sevens this year, are restored to the touring group as well. Mpupha’s last appearance in fifteens came in the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand’s Black Ferns, while Mokone most recently featured in the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.

New caps from sevens ranks

Head coach Swys de Bruin has rewarded sevens form by calling up uncapped pair Shiniqwa Lamprecht and Maria Tshiremba. Both have switched across from the Springbok Women’s Sevens set-up after also impressing in the Women’s Super League.

On his selection, De Bruin said Lamprecht and Tshiremba had already demonstrated they could transfer their abilities to the fifteens format.

“Both played well on the sevens circuit this year, so I am excited to see their skill sets enhance our style of play,” he said.

“Also, Aseza and Lindelwa bring so much experience, which will be needed as we are without several experienced players currently in the rehabilitation programme.”

Preparation for World Cup demands

The trip to Fiji will serve as a significant test of the squad’s depth and resilience, with De Bruin emphasising the importance of adapting to the demands of long-distance travel ahead of future global tournaments.

“This will be a challenging trip, but for us in 2026 it is all about pushing beyond our comfort zones and, in this case, time zones. It is a long journey, but in the bigger picture, that is what we will have to do when the next World Cup is played in Australia,” he explained.

While the touring party heads to the Pacific, a separate group of players from the wider 2026 training squad will remain at the Stellenbosch base to focus on conditioning and rehabilitation. That group includes Sanelisiwe Charlie, Micke Gunter, Danelle Lochner, Logan Welman, Unam Tose, Jakkie Cilliers, Ayanda Malinga and Aphiwe Ngwevu, all of whom took part in the recent USA series.

Coaching responsibilities split

The squad will depart for Fiji on Wednesday, with assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September tasked with leading the side on tour.

De Bruin will stay in Stellenbosch to continue working with the extended training group, mirroring the division of responsibilities used during the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Kenya earlier this year.

Squad in full

Forwards (15): Babalwa Latsha (captain), Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Yonela Ngxingolo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Thandile Mazwi, Lindelwa Gwala, Anushka Groenewald, Nomsa Mokwai, Vainah Ubisi, Nobuhle Mjwara, Catha Jacobs, Sizophila Solontsi, Lerato Makua, Aseza Hele, Sinelitha Noxeke.

Backs (11): Anacadia Minnaar, Felicia Jacobs, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Eloise Webb, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Zintle Mpupha, Patience Mokone, Maceala Samboya, Maria Tshiremba, Alichia Arries, Byrhandre Dolf.

Fixtures

Fijiana XV v Springbok Women – 8 August, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva Kick-off: 04:00 SA time (14:00 Fiji time)

Fijiana XV v Springbok Women – 15 August, Churchill Park, Lautoka Kick-off: 05:00 SA time (15:00 Fiji time)