She led her side to Rugby World Cup victory on home soil in 2022 and became just the third Black Fern to reach 50 tests last year.
The first five adds another layer tomorrow when she becomes the most capped Black Ferns captain, with 36 tests, surpassing Fiao’o Fa’amausili, who led the team 35 times between 2012 and 2018.
Demant, who co-captains the team alongside flanker Kennedy Tukuafu, downplayed the achievement ahead of their opening test of the season against the United States in Sacramento, California.
"No disrespect to Fi or any of our captains who have donned the jersey, it’s just another game for me," Demant said.
"While milestones are milestones and they’re there for a reason, my focus is just the same as it has been for all the other tests that I’ve played.
"My focus is on the team, it’s not on the accolades.
"It’s a new year, it’s a new start, it’s a new cycle for us and it’s been really refreshing coming back in to a different coaching group with new ideas, with refreshing ideas, but also a new playing group as well."
Demant has been playing for the Bristol Bears in England and returned to the Black Ferns squad with a "heart full of gratitude".
"While it has been so rewarding and I’ve made so many friends and grown as a person and a player, the jersey just now means so much more to me as well.
"To return and be back with our team, back with our friends, it’s just a feeling that is very hard to explain."
The Black Ferns start a new era tomorrow under head coach Whitney Hansen, who has named a stable squad that features three debutants.
Loose forward Mia Anderson, who was outstanding in the Black Ferns XV last season, halfback Tara Turner and winger Justine McGregor will all come off the bench.
Otago halfback Maia Joseph gets the nod at No9 and joins Matatu team-mates Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Amy du Plessis, Laura Bayfield and former team-mate Georgia Ponsonby in the starting side.
The Black Ferns have typically been strong against the US, winning their most recent encounter 79-14 last year.
Experienced lock Erica Jarrell-Searcy will captain the Eagles, while Spirit halfback Abigail Paton has been named on the bench for her debut.
Pacific Four series
Sacramento, tomorrow, 11am
Black Ferns: Renee Holmes, Mereangi Paul, Amy du Plessis, Sylvia Brunt, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Ruahei Demant, Maia Joseph, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kennedy Tukuafu, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Laura Bayfield, Maia Roos, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakelelu, Georgia Ponsonby, Chryss Viliko. Reserves: Vici-Rose Green, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Tanya Kalounivale, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Mia Anderson, Tara Turner, Justine McGregor.
United States: Alev Kelter, Bulou Mataitoga, Emily Henrich, Katana Howard, Erica Coulibaly, Bella Vogel, Cass Bargell, Freda Tafuna, Georgie Perris-Redding, Hann Humphreys, Erica Jarrell-Searcy, Hallie Taufoou, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, Kathryn Treder, Hope Rogers. Reserves: Hope Cooper, Reece Woods, Alivia Leatherman, Emerson Allen, Ina Bailey, Abigail Paton, Kristin Bitter, Telesi Uhatafe.
