Shiniqwa Lamprecht could be South Africa's answer to the growing demand for hybrid players as the Springbok Women look to complete their series sweep against the Fijiana XV in Lautoka tomorrow (3am kick-off).
The 23-year-old Sevens star made an impressive Test debut at centre in last weekend's 55-12 victory in Suva, but she has now been named among the replacements and could be deployed at flank at Churchill Park if required.
It is a role that assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt believes Lamprecht is ideally suited to, drawing parallels with the way Springbok star Andre Esterhuizen has become an increasingly useful option in the backline and the back row.
"She's so exciting. She's a strong, fierce ball carrier as well as a great defender, so she slots in perfectly as our typical hybrid player," Johannes-Haupt said. "It's just a number on the back, at the end of the day."
The concept is not entirely new to the Springbok Women, with rising star Logan Welman also identified as a potential hybrid player, but Lamprecht could now get an opportunity to demonstrate just how valuable that versatility can be at Test level.
South Africa have opted for a 5-3 split on their bench for tomorrow's second Test, rather than the 6-2 combination that helped them dominate Fiji's pack in Suva. That gives the coaching staff more flexibility, with Lamprecht able to provide cover at centre or move into the loose forwards if the situation demands it.
"Shiniqwa gives us that option," Johannes-Haupt said.
"She can also play in the centres, where she did very well last weekend. We will see how the match develops and what we need to do when we activate our bench."
The experimentation is part of a deliberate attempt to broaden South Africa's options, rather than simply reproduce the formula that produced a nine-try victory in the first Test.
There are further positional changes in the backline, with Zintle Mpupha moving to inside centre and Maceala Samboya shifting from wing to outside centre, while Maria Tshiremba comes into the starting XV for her Test debut.
The sevens star, who has scored 64 tries in 20 tournaments in the shorter format, will become the 195th player to earn a Springbok Women's cap.
"It's really exciting to see Maria making a debut, as well as the girls playing in different positions so that we can really test our depth in specific positions," Johannes-Haupt said.
Babalwa Latsha also returns to captain the side, bringing a wealth of experience and calmness to a pack that laid the platform for last week's emphatic win. After that strong start, South Africa have the luxury of experimenting with combinations, but Johannes-Haupt insists the intent remains to play an exciting brand of rugby.
South Africa Women matchday 23 v Fiji
Springbok Women starting XV: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Zintle Mpupha, 11 Maria Tshiremba, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Anacadia Minnaar, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Nomsa Mokwai, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo; Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki,19 Sinelitha Noxeke, 20 Nobuhle Mjwara, 21 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Patience Mokone.