Promoted to commander on 1 January 1898, Limpus was posted to the protected cruiser HMS "Terrible" when it was commissioned in September 1899 under Captain Percy Scott. The ship was intended for service at the China Station, but was delayed in South Africa following the outbreak of the Second Boer War. Limpus was attached to a naval brigade which accompanied the Ladysmith relief force, taking part in the battles of Colenso (December 1899) and Spion Kop (January 1900) and the actual relief of Ladysmith on 28 February 1900. He was specially promoted to the rank of captain on 2 May 1900, for his services in South Africa. The "Terrible" proceeded to China in March 1900, and took part in the Boxer Rebellion.