South Africa lose record points scorer Janse van Rensburg to ankle injury ahead of Spain clash

South Africa’s preparations for their WXV Global Series crossover fixture against Spain in Seville have been disrupted by two confirmed injuries and a third concern, with all-time leading points scorer Libbie Janse van Rensburg among those ruled out.

The Springbok Women playmaker sustained an ankle injury during Saturday’s 41-29 victory over Italy and has returned home. Co-head coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September have called 23-year-old Mary Zulu into camp as her replacement. Zulu has not earned a Test cap since South Africa’s Rugby Africa Women’s Cup triumph earlier this year, though she captained a South Africa A side on a two-match tour of Brazil last month. She has scored 45 points across 18 Test appearances.

Wing Ayanda Malinga has also been sent home after picking up a knee injury in the Springbok Women’s 50-19 defeat to Wales.

A third injury concern centres on fly-half Byrhandré Dolf, who started against Italy in Pordenone before leaving the field with a head injury. The 23-year-old will complete Head Injury Assessment protocols on Monday, after which the coaching staff will make a further determination on her availability for the Spain fixture.

Despite the setbacks, South Africa showed resilience against Italy, bouncing back at the first opportunity following their heavy loss to Wales in Cardiff. The side leaned on their forward pack and the kicking of Jakkie Cilliers to restore momentum.

Next weekend’s match against Spain will be the 10th meeting between the two sides. South Africa currently hold the upper hand in the fixture, with six wins from nine previous encounters.

Spain arrive in Seville having finished third in the WXV Global Series Challenger in Hong Kong. Las Leonas lost to Fiji in the opening round before defeating Samoa convincingly a week later. Their third fixture against Brazil was called off due to weather, with both teams awarded two points for a draw.