Women In Sports

"Being able to represent my country is a great honour, it’s one of those things that are really hard to describe but I know I want to do it to the best of my capabilities. I believe I’m not just representing my country but I’m representing the community that I come from, I’m representing my friends and my family, they celebrate me the most. They are what has made my journey even more meaningful"

"A lot of the girls have PWR Cup games under their belt and we’re just excited to set our standards and a platform and then work from there and see where we’re at as a squad. I am definitely excited for what’s to come and I am excited to be playing in this league."

"I would like to help in youth development, I want to be able to help young athletes optimise their abilities and just to have the information on how to do that as they develop."

"I think the biggest ‘work on’ for me is focusing on my attack. I think I focused a lot on defence over the last couple of years and I’ve grown so much confidence in that space, but now I want to be an all-round play"

"I literally feel like we are capable, as South African female rugby players. I don’t think there would be a country that could stop us from getting a Cup, but obviously, we must think of the small blocks towards it, and not just jump through the main thing. That’s an inspiration to bring the cup home."

"If ever, like, I get the opportunity to go to a World Cup again, that is something I would really want to do, just to be part of a group that would bring a cup home."

"It means a lot that I’m a role model to many young girls and women. I remember when I was young, I looked up to people, and I am glad I could now be someone that people could look up to."

"The coaches are really doing a great job in getting us battle-ready and fine-tuning our strengths"

"I came here for game time and I came here to play against other internationalists regularly in high quality matches. With so many internationals in the PWR after the World Cup the standard is likely to have gone up and that is exciting and a challenge we are ready for."

"What we saw in our analysis is that they are not scared to run with the ball, so there is an element of variety in their play, and they love doing quick taps from penalties.We prepared well and will be ready for everything they are going to throw at us."

"A lot of things have been put in place so we can get better. In the past, I would have been screaming that the rugby unions can do better, and while they can still do better, I’m witnessing some great things and I am appreciative of the effort."

"It’s nice to be part of a professional group where you can just go out and have everything set up for you, but if I’m honest, there’s nothing that challenges you on game day.The biggest challenge comes in training. As an individual and as a team we’re not really tested on the weekend and that’s not good for us or for South African rugby. We need competition and the only way that can happen is if other teams invest like we have."

"I want to be one of the best players in the world, I want to play overseas, probably in England and the PWR where I can test myself against the best."

"I want to win awards and travel the world and be the best I can be. I want to be a role model and prove to people that South African women can play rugby at the highest level."

"It won’t happen overnight, I’m not sure we can change a whole culture. There will be lots of people who will never support us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything. If we start winning and challenging the really good teams."

"For me, in my own area, there are many things happening, like gangsterism, and the kids are looking up to the fact that they can become a gangster one day, and the wrong things"

"I’ll keep pushing hard. For my family and for South Africa. For all young girls who want to play rugby. Ya, I can say that I’ll always keep pushing"

"Some ugly perceptions about women and women’s rugby still exist in South Africa,To be honest, it’s a pain in the arse."

"I am glad that I am bringing hope to young women and young girls that anything is possible, and there’s no such thing as you are dreaming too big or dreaming too small. If you strive to get there one day, I just feel like anything is possible, so I am really glad that I could be a role model for the young girls and women."

"As an experience, you can’t beat that. I’m also excited to be able to take what I learn here back home into the national squad and impart my knowledge to help South African women’s rugby continue to grow. Giving back is always one of the reasons why I do what I do and why I play rugby."

"When it happens I just smile and maybe just move on to something else. But it’s hard to hear. My parents stand behind me fully so I know that I have their support. So what other people think shouldn’t bother me. But it’s not nice to hear. I know that I’m not like a typical female. I’m built differently."

"I can an really look back at this day for a long time. Here I was, being part of the opening match of the World Cup and when the action began, I felt at home."

"But because of my body shape, people kept saying, ‘you need to play, you need to play’. I was 18. I just thought, ‘why not’. So I tried. And the rest is history."

"Playing the sport professionally always seemed like something very far from me considering that it was not professional for many years in my country. I have always been a hard worker, and somehow things aligned so that I could be where I am today"

"But I want to tell girls that it’s OK to look how you look. I am grateful for my strength. I use my strength to push for my country. Why would I not be proud of that?"

"And I want to assist in mauls, make tackles, and carry the ball. The nice thing about all of that is that I can do so with my team and when we play together, we get things done."

"Give it a go, give it a chance! Don’t hesitate if you feel like you want to play rugby, and it’s something you enjoy doing, keep on doing it"

"If I don’t keep winning penalties then someone else will come and take my position. And if I lose my position, if I lose my contract, then my family won’t eat. I can’t let that happen"

"It won’t be easy, but it’s the journey that shapes you and builds your character. Along the way, you’ll be reminded of your ‘why,’ and that’s what will keep you going."

"I always say I’m my granny’s daughter. My mom was around, but she worked far away. It was my granny who raised me. She taught me discipline and how to be soft, but also when to be strong."

"The knowledge that I can compete at this level was just such a boost and for me the biggest achievement of my life. Look, no prop scrums alone, so it is not about me, but it was great to force my opponent to concede penalties and for our forwards to enjoy dominance over a highly-rated French pack."

"I’m a sweetheart, But when I play, you see the monster on the field. I cannot explain how I get to that point."

"I want to create spaces where young people are seen, heard, and inspired to take up space."

"I think women’s rugby is definitely growing in South Africa, and there will be light at the end of the tunnel at the end of the day, so keep on dreaming big."

"Just start! Whether it’s watching games, writing, taking pictures, or even starting a YouTube channel, begin where you are."

"I loved rowing but it was the same thing over and over again. The excitement wasn’t there for me, and as rugby was packed with thrilling new challenges, it made it easier for me to make a decision"

"Some players will be desperate to impress with Rugby World Cup selection on the horizon, but we will look at how players compliment and strengthen the system, rather than them doing individual things"

"Go to the field, go play touchies in the street. It’s all the little things that matter in the day, if we don’t give up and keep on pushing. No one said it’s gonna be easy, but when you think about it, it’s not even that hard, if you are actually doing stuff with passion."

"But God’s timing is always the best because this time I feel I am better prepared physically. I’m well and feeling good. I am excited to go there and have this experience"

"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."

"I believe we’re moving in the right direction, and starting not to hold back against New Zealand."

"Our mindset is to stay focused, disciplined and also be consistent with everything we are doing, not stopping our physicality going direct to them"

"We understand that we come from various different backgrounds, but we are able to have a beautiful melting pot of different cultures and different characters even. We tap into that and embrace that because we are South African."

"Certainly, we get a boost from representing Africa as champions at the World Cup. It's a reminder of what we can do if we remain committed, united, and believe in ourselves"

"We’ve developed an edge- a competitive edge. There’s just an overall better understanding as to what it means to be a professional athlete. All these factors contribute to the quality of the group that we are now and to where we’re headed."

"The World Cup, however, is a whole new level and requires even more of us. Not only will we participate, but we want to compete, proudly represent Africa, and push ourselves to the limit"

"I put myself under pressure by standing too flat. Just knowing when to be a little deeper, because they had a rush defence, which put us under a bit of pressure"

"I think if I can play flyhalf against the No 2 in the world, then it should become easier. I was very humbled in that position. I learned a lot."

"You get to experience other cultures through it. There are different cultures around the world that you can learn from"

"Rugby has changed my life, and for the best, I don’t come from a great background, but with rugby, I know how to take care of my family and myself. There are a lot of things that rugby has changed for me. I am very grateful that I chose this sport. It came into my life and did good things."