Meet 'Libbie' Janse van Rensburg: Springbok Women's 'Player of the Match' in victory against Italy

History was made in South African rugby on Sunday, 31 August, as the Springbok Women secured their place in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, defeating higher-ranked Italy in a dramatic clash in York.

In a nail-biting encounter, the women in green and gold triumphed 29-24, claiming their first win over Italy.

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Elizabetha 'Libbie' Magdalena Janse van Rensburg (30) was 'Player of the Match'.

"This is massive!" she said about her team's achievement.

Before Janse van Rensburg made quarterfinals history, she was a standout South African rugby union and sevens player who had made a significant mark in the women’s game since making her debut for the Springbok Women in 2021.

Wearing the number 10 jersey with pride, Janse van Rensburg continues to raise the bar with every performance. Her impressive playmaking, precision kicking, and leadership on the field have become hallmarks of her career.

In 2023, she made history by being named TuksRugby Player of the Year, becoming the first woman in the club’s history to earn this accolade. Representing TuksWomensRugby, she delivered standout performances, notably during the 2023 WXV 2: Women’s International 15s tournament held in Cape Town.

During South Africa's match against Samoa, Janse van Rensburg scored a hat-trick and was named Player of the Match, helping the Springbok Women secure a commanding 33–7 victory. She finished the tournament as the top point scorer with 38 points, setting another record for South African women's rugby.

Notably, she has also succeeded with a drop goal, showcasing the depth of her kicking ability, a skill rarely seen in the women’s game.

Her excellence has been widely recognised. She was honoured as both the 2023 Springbok Women’s Player of the Year and 2023 Provincial Women’s Player of the Year.

Janse van Rensburg’s rugby journey began at a young age. Her natural talent and passion for the sport led her to pursue it professionally.

Reflecting in a 2024 interview, she said: “As I neared the end of my studies, I knew that somehow I would be involved with rugby, be it on or off the field.”

As f now, she has 29 Test caps and has scored 219 points for South Africa. She also became the first Springbok Woman to surpass 200 international points, reaching the milestone just before the start of the WXV 2 tournament in Cape Town.

“When I started playing rugby, I never thought I’d be the first player to score 100 points, let alone 200. But I’m very proud to say I’ve achieved that,” she said.

"I hope it inspires young girls in South Africa. We’re seeing more players coming into the system, and I want them to feel like they can beat my record, become the most capped Springbok, or set new standards for the game.”

Janse van Rensburg is not just rewriting the record books; she’s inspiring the next generation to dream bigger.

In her latest post on Instagram, van Rensburg captioned a photo of her post-match saying: "Bringing South Africa together, inspiring young girls to dream big and lead."

Follow van Janse van Rensburg's journey on social media: @libbiejvr