Aseza Hele Marks 33rd Test with Commanding Springbok Women Win

Few in the Springbok Women squad were as pleased as Aseza Hele after she made a successful return to the Test arena, where South Africa delivered a commanding performance to beat the Fijiana XV 55-12 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji on Saturday, 8 August 2026.

For Hele, who played in her 33rd Test, the return to the green and gold after injury felt as good as her international debut in 2018.

She last played for South Africa at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England almost a year ago and missed the early part of the season because of a hand injury that required surgery.

Now back to her best, the Hermanus-based loose forward cannot wait for the second Test this weekend at Churchill Park in Lautoka, where kick-off is scheduled for 03h00 SAST on Saturday, 15 August 2026.

“Yes, it was great being out there again.”

Springbok Women No. 8, Aseza Hele

“Coming back from rehabilitation, one is not always hundred per cent sure how the body will react in a match situation. So I was pleased the way it went, given that I did not play for a while,” Hele said from Nadi, where the Springbok Women are based for the week.

“Once the match started, I felt really comfortable and I could just focus on doing my job out there, which was great. It felt great to get back in the physical part of the game and I felt like I was myself again, so very happy with that aspect of it.”

Hele carried 16 times and made 127 metres, and her physicality was a menace to the Fijian defence.

“My fitness and conditioning was good – in these type of games you need to be at your best when it comes to fitness, so I am very happy the way it played out. There were some nerves at the beginning, but that is normal,” she said.

Hele was one of several players who did not start in the home series against the USA last month, and she could relate to those starting for the first time in a while.

“I was happy for those who started for the first time in a while to be given that opportunity as they could step up and show what they are capable of and they did. From a personal point of view, I just went out there to make sure I fulfil my role to the best of my abilities,” she said.

Hele expects the second Test to be as challenging as the first.

“It was tough out there, the wind was quite strong at times and when you play Fiji, you need to expect the unexpected,” she said. “The crowd also goes wild when they have the ball, you can hear the noise going up and the pressure building from the crowd when they are in possession.

“It was most pleasing though that we executed our plays very well, we stuck to our guns and did not allow them to dictate matters. We came into this match well prepared, we worked hard back home and came here with good clarity on what we wanted to achieve. From that perspective, we really did well.”

The Test at Churchill Park will bring new challenges, she warned. “We know they will come back stronger. But that is good for us too, as we respond well to pressure. We also gained confidence from our own performances and we saw our hard work being rewarded. We stuck to our system and the system rewarded us.”

Hele played in the only previous meeting between the two teams, a gut-wrenching defeat at the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, when Fiji scored in the final play of the match to snatch the win.

“We have buried that one now,” she said. “That defeat in New Zealand was still hurting and with this performance, we buried that for good.”

Another feature of Hele’s play also came through in Suva, playing with a smile. She had good reason to do so. “You don’t know how much you will miss that jersey until it happens, but I just realised it again,” said Hele.

“To be back in the team made the rehab worth the while. The mental side of the rehab is always the toughest. Patience is often a virtue as sometimes rehab has its ups and downs and for me it is 90% mental, 10% physical. So I am very pleased that I could be back doing what I love, playing for my country and inspiring others.”

The team for the second Test will be named on Wednesday. The squad will be without Lerato Makua and Eloise Webb, who picked up injuries last week, but could be bolstered by the return of team captain Babalwa Latsha.

The Fijiana XV vs. Springbok Women Test Series 2026

Sat 8 August, 04h00: Fijiana XV 12-55 Springbok Women (HFC Bank Stadium, Suva)
Sat 15 August, 03h00: Fijiana XV vs. Springbok Women (Churchill Park, Lautoka)

All times CAT

Springbok Women Starting XV

15 Byrhandré Dolf
14 Maceala Samboya
13 Zintle Mpupha
12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht
11 Patience Mokone
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Captain)
9 Anacadia Minnaar
8 Aseza Hele
7 Lerato Makua
6 Sizophila Solontsi
5 Nomsa Mokwai
4 Vainah Ubisi
3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki
2 Lindelwa Gwala
1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo

Replacements

16 Anushka Groenewald
17 Yonela Ngxingolo
18 Thandile Mazwi
19 Catha Jacobs
20 Sinelitha Noxeke
21 Nobuhle Mjwara
22 Felicia Jacobs
23 Alichia Arries

Fijiana XV Starting XV

15 Litiana Vueti
14 Adi Vani Buleki
13 Merewairita Neivoha
12 Ruth Raketekete
11 Repeka Tove
10 Varanisese Qoro
9 Kolora Lomani (Captain)
8 Alfreda Fisher
7 Adi Salaseini Railumu
6 Nunia Daunimoala
5 Karavaki Lutumaibau
4 Mereoni Nakesa
3 Tiana Robanakadavu
2 Bitila Tawake (Vice-Captain)
1 Karalaini Naisewa

Replacements

16 Selai Naliva
17 Elesi Saukuru
18 Keri Lawavou
19 Vilisi Tivalele
20 Jade Coates
21 Evivi Senikarivi
22 Ivamere Nabura
23 Aqela Raitubu

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Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: Aseza Hele returned to the Test arena in her 33rd appearance as the Springbok Women opened their historic first tour of Fiji with a commanding 55-12 victory over the Fijiana XV at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji on Saturday, 8 August 2026. All Photos: Gallo Images / SA Rugby

Photo 2 Caption: The Hermanus-based loose forward returned to the green and gold for the first time since the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England last year.