SPORTS FEATURE
BY BYRON LUKAS
From bushveld bonfires to packed stadiums, Springbok Women flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg is helping to show that women’ s rugby doesn’ t need permission to take up space.
When you picture an elite rugby player, it’ s easy to imagine the obvious. The endless gym sessions, tactical meetings, bruising tackles, and unforgiving competition.
Spend a few minutes getting to know Springbok Women flyhalf Elizabetha“ Libbie” Janse van Rensburg, however, and a fuller picture begins to emerge. Hers is a life shaped not just by rugby, but by bushveld sunsets, lifelong friendships, coffee, and a love of nature.
South African women’ s rugby is on the rise, and Libbie has been central to this exciting chapter. A dependable, calm playmaker with a sharp tactical mind, she continues to push the boundaries on and off the field. Now 31, the Pretoria-born ace is the first Springbok Women player to score 200 international points.
“ Every season is another opportunity to improve,” she says.“ I’ m always working on my game, both strategically and technically. As a team, we’ re known for our physicality, and that’ s something I want to continue sharpening.”
While rugby demands extraordinary discipline, Libbie believes balance is what keeps her performing at her best. It is an understanding that performance cannot be built by rugby alone.
“ My friendship circle is incredibly important,” she explains.“ They’ re the people who know how to fill my cup after difficult games. They also know when it’ s time to talk rugby and when it’ s time to let me simply be myself.”
It’ s that grounded approach that has helped shape one of South Africa’ s most composed playmakers. Growing up, one Springbok legend stood above the rest.
“ Morné Steyn. I think his level headedness and consistency has always been somethin g that stood out to me,” she says.
68 INBOUND SA / AUGUST 2026