Adi Vani Buleki ready to flourish after 'nervous' Fijiana debut against Springbok Women

Fresh from scoring a try on debut in XVs, Fijiana winger Adi Vani Buleki is keen to grow in confidence with her teammates as they look to bounce back strongly against the Springbok Women in Lautoka this Saturday.

After last week’s opening match in the Suva saw the South Africans win 55-12 thanks to a dominant performance in the set piece, the hosts have been hard at work preparing for a swift response when they meet on Saturday to decide the winner of the Ubuntu-Bula Trophy.

For Buleki however, individually she enjoyed a strong start in Fiji colours, combining her three years of playing in the Fiji 7s side with her recent foray into XVs, having hit the ground running in the longer format since signing with the Western Force in 2025.

Despite having plenty of nerves last week in Suva, the result saw Buleki threaten on the wing many times, scoring a try on debut in the second half, with the winger crediting time in both formats for setting her up to start well.

“I was really nervous,” Buleki told RugbyPass. “That’s the first time for me playing at home and playing XVs with the girls. I was really happy to score a debut try.

“[Being at the Force] really helped a lot to bring over some skills, maybe it’s because it’s the second year for me to play XVs, the Force family really helped me a lot.

“When I came over here, it’s different. The girls and the management here really helped me. In sevens, I play forwards, [and] that’s the difference. I came in at XVs and play wing.”

The transition was significantly helped by the fact that Buleki was also joined by the likes of sevens teammates Repeka Tove, Ema Adivitaloga and Mere Vocevoce, while Atelaite Buna also played for the sevens programme last year.

“Some of the girls that are playing together in 15s, we’re playing together in Sevens,” Buleki added.

“Buna, Tove, Mere, Ema, we’re playing together in Sevens. It’s easy for me to mingle with the girls here.”

Fiji will be looking to bounce back strongly, with new head coach Willie Walker making five changes to the starting side from last week, as well as four more on the bench.

Keri Lawavou, Jade Coates and Merewairita Neivoha will come into the starting side in the forward pack, with Buna set to join Buleki on the wings, and Ivamere Rokowati moving into the centres.

Of note as well is the fact that two players on the bench, Sereana Maragi and Vasemaca Duva, could be set for potential debuts for Fijiana.

For Buleki, with the initial nerves out of the way from her debut, the chance to play with full freedom will be something the wing won’t take for granted, and will be jumping at the chance to put last week’s loss behind her.

“We just said [afterwards], next job,” Buleki said about last week.

“We forgot the game last week, the girls are looking forward to this week. [For us, there are] just some little things we have to keep in mind for the game this week.

“I already told the girls last week, it really means a lot to me [to play], it’s the first time for me to play XVs for my own country, and to play in Fiji.

“It really means a lot to me and for my family too. I want to score more tries this week!”

Fijiana will take on the Springbok Women in the second match of the Ubuntu–Bula Trophy on Saturday at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

Fijiana XV match day squad v Springbok Women

15. Litiana Vueti
14. Adi Vani Buleki
13. Ivamere Rokowati
12. Ruth Raketekete
11. Atelaite Buna
10. Varanisese Qoro
9. Kolora Lomani (c)
1. Karalaini Naisewa
2. Bitila Tawake (vc)
3. Keri Lawavou
4. Karavaki Lutumaibau
5. Jade Coates
6. Nunia Daunimoala
7. Merewairita Neivoha
8. Adi Salaseini Railumu

Replacements
16. Selai Naliva
17. Elesi Saukuru
18. Tiana Robanakada
19. Vilisi Tivalele
20. Sereana Maragi*
21. Evivi Senikarivi
22. Adi Salote Nailolo
23. Vasemaca Duva*

*uncapped