Libbie Janse van Rensburg is in her season of milestones at the moment.
The Springbok Women’s stalwart passed 200 Test points in last week’s 36-19 victory over Spain, which she did in style with a try.
Janse van Rensburg was also part of the Bok Women sevens team that competed at the Paris Olympics in late July.
Now she is about to celebrate her 30th birthday on Saturday, following today’s WXV 2 opener against Japan at the Cape Town Stadium (4pm start).
That is all part of the preparations for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in England in August and September, and a fresh challenge Janse van Rensburg is experiencing is playing in a different position.
Normally a flyhalf, the ace goal-kicker from Lephalale in Limpopo started at fullback against Spain last week, and will continue in the No 15 jersey against Japan in the WXV 2 clash today.
Extremely windy conditions made things trickier than expected for her against the Spanish, but performance coach Swys de Bruin expressed his satisfaction with her second-half performance in particular.
“You know, I take it. I will play wherever the coaches put me ... They obviously have a plan with me, so I just follow the game plan and just do what I can for the team,” Janse van Rensburg told Independent Newspapers this week.
“I have never played a full game at fullback, so it was my first time. I was also out for five months with my groin injury, so it was my first game back, just trying to find my feet again.
“Wherever I may have played, I think I would have been a bit off my game. But in the second half, I started to get a bit better rhythm, and I feel even after training this week, I find myself in better positions on the field, with a better idea of what the coaches expect from me.
“It (reaching 200 Test points) is definitely a highlight ... It was never a thing for me to chase the points, it’s not something I pushed for – it just happens, and the team put me in good positions. I am just thankful to get game time and that I am always in a good place.”
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Much like Willie le Roux does for the Springbok men’s team, Janse van Rensburg is encouraged to get involved in the flyhalf channel as well during games, even when she is positioned at fullback, with speedster Nadine Roos now at No 10.
“Coach Swys’ (de Bruin) plan is that he says he plays with two 10s, so regardless of whether (Nadine) Roos or I am at 10, we both play the role of a 10, actually,” she said.
“So, I think with that concept in mind, it is good to put me at fullback because as you say, that option to come in at 10 or to have a bit more freedom and run a bit more and play, I enjoy that.
“It opens up opportunities like that (when she scored a try against Spain), and it’s small things to do something else, man – it’s a breath of fresh air!”
The Japanese will provide a unique challenge compared to the Spaniards for the South Africans, with the pace in their game sure to test the Bok defence.
“They will definitely bring a different type of game (to Spain). They are short, they are nimble, and we have prepared well for them this week,” Janse van Rensburg said.
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“Their set piece is also a bit stronger than Spain’s, but our ladies’ set piece you can’t really match. So, I have no worries there.
“It will be about the backline and how they play, because Japan are nippy and have good hands. So, it’s up to us to close them down and watch out for their little kicks – they are very good with their attacking kicks.
“After playing last week, I saw that if we play into the wind, I must hang a bit deeper as there were a few times where the ball went over my head, and it’s not nice to turn around and chase.
“It’s definitely something that I took out of that game and want to improve upon in this game. Hopefully everything is in our favour.
“Sometimes the wind does turn around during the game, and it felt like that last week. But it’s something that we have to work with.”
Springbok Women Team
15 Libbie Janse van Rensburg 14 Jakkie Cilliers 13 Eloise Webb 12 Chumisa Qawe 11 Ayanda Malinga 10 Nadine Roos 9 Tayla Kinsey 8 Aseza Hele 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa 6 Sizophila Solontsi 5 Vainah Ubisi 4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain) 3 Babalwa Latsha 2 Roseline Botes 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Bench: 16 Micke Gunter 17 Yonela Ngxingolo 18 Azisa Mkiva 19 Danelle Lochner 20 Catha Jacobs 21 Anathi Qolo 22 Unam Tose 23 Zintle Mpupha.