This Women’s Month, we celebrate the expertise, resilience and dedication of the women helping keep our players healthy, confident and ready to represent the Green and White with pride.
Tell us about your journey into sports physiotherapy.
I’ve always loved being active and knew I wanted a career where I could combine healthcare with sport. Physiotherapy was the perfect fit. I studied at the University of Pretoria before completing my community service year in a small town in KwaZulu-Natal. After that, I moved to Cape Town to pursue my passion for sports physiotherapy and further develop my career in the field, while also completing my Masters degree. I found myself drawn to the fast-paced world of working with athletes. Working in rugby has challenged me to grow professionally every day, and I genuinely love being part of an environment where I can help athletes stay healthy, recover from injuries, and perform at their best.
What attracted you to working in rugby?
Rugby is such an incredible sport because it’s built on respect, resilience and teamwork. As a physiotherapist, it offers a unique opportunity to work closely with players, coaches, and the medical team to keep athletes healthy and performing at their best. It’s physically demanding, which means every day presents a different challenge as a physiotherapist. I also love the culture around rugby – the camaraderie, the passion, and the sense that everyone is working towards the same goal. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping the team perform.
What does a typical match day look like for you from start to finish?
Match day starts long before kick-off! I arrive early to prepare all the medical equipment and to start strapping players prior to warm-up. Once the players take the field, my focus is completely on their wellbeing. Whether it’s assessing injuries, running onto the field when needed, or communicating with the coaching staff and doctor, it’s all about making the best decisions for the players’ health. After the game, the work continues with injury assessments, recovery strategies, and making sure every player knows what comes next. It’s a long day, but it’s one I genuinely enjoy.
Recovery has become such a big part of modern rugby. What are the biggest mistakes players make after games?
One of the biggest mistakes is underestimating the importance of recovery. Players often focus on the match itself but neglect the basics afterwards. Simple things like rehydrating properly (not with beer), eating the right foods, getting quality sleep and following your recovery plan make a huge difference. Recovery is about giving your body the best chance to adapt, repair and what keeps you performing consistently throughout the season.
What’s the most rewarding part of being part of the Villager family?
Without a doubt, it’s the people. Villager is more than just a rugby club – it’s a community, a family, where everyone works towards the same goal. It’s incredibly rewarding to build relationships with the players, coaches, and support staff, celebrate successes together, and help players overcome setbacks. Seeing an athlete return from injury and regain confidence on the field is one of the best parts of my job.
As a woman working in what has traditionally been a male environment, what challenges—or opportunities—have you experienced?
Working in a traditionally male environment has certainly challenged me to back myself and trust my knowledge and skills. Fortunately, I’ve also experienced a great deal of respect from players, colleagues, coaches and management who value my input. I believe diversity strengthens any team. As more women enter sports medicine and rugby, we bring different perspectives, ideas, and approaches to athlete care. It’s encouraging to see the industry becoming more inclusive, and I’m proud to contribute to that progress.
During Women’s Awareness Month, what message would you like to share with young women considering a career in sports medicine?
Don’t be afraid to take up space. If you’re passionate about sport and helping people, there is absolutely a place for you in sports medicine. Be confident in your abilities, keep learning, ask questions, and never let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong. Representation matters, and the more women we see in sport, the more young girls will believe they can do it too.