Between the Ward and the Rugby Field: Nomsa Mokwai’s Story
The final whistle had barely faded when Nomsa Mokwai glanced into the crowd and spotted a familiar face. Among the supporters watching South Africa take on Italy at the Rugby World Cup was one of her colleagues from Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. In that moment, two worlds collided, the demanding world of nursing and the fierce arena of international rugby. For Nomsa, it was a reminder that every sacrifice, every long shift and every training session had led her there.
“It was the best feeling to look at myself and realise how far I’d come,” she says. “My heart was filled with gratitude, thinking about all the sacrifices, setbacks and intense dedication.”
Finding Rugby by Chance
Nomsa’s rugby journey did not begin with a lifelong dream of becoming a Springbok. It started with fitness training and a simple invitation from a friend to attend rugby practice. “I was invited by a friend to a rugby training session and I never stopped from that day,” she recalls.
What began as curiosity quickly grew into passion. Along the way, influential figures such as Tannie Magda Botha and Coach Mapangashe helped shape her belief in herself and her ability.
“My inspiration came from the people around me and the desire to challenge myself,” she explains. “The coaches and players who believed in me pushed me beyond my limits.”
The road, however, was not always easy. Like many women in rugby, Nomsa faced stereotypes and doubt from others. “My biggest challenge was being told rugby is not for women,” she says. “That affected my confidence a little bit. Because it’s such a physical sport, I also feared getting hurt.”
Yet she persevered, refusing to allow fear or opinions to define her future.
Wearing the Green and Gold
Representing the Springbok Women on the world stage became one of the proudest moments of her life.
“To wear the jersey means carrying the pride and identity of South Africans,” she says. “It means playing for something bigger than myself, being a role model, creating history and representing diversity and unity.”
The World Cup experience left a permanent mark on her life, not only as an athlete but as a person.
“Disappointment is part of the game too,” she reflects. “But everything that happened at that World Cup is a cherished memory.”
Her perspective is grounded in humility. Rugby taught her that success is never achieved alone and that resilience often matters more than perfection.
Life Between Nursing and Rugby
Away from the rugby field, Nomsa serves others in another demanding environment: healthcare. Balancing professional rugby with nursing requires discipline few people fully understand.
“A typical day is busy, demanding, but rewarding,” she explains. “My day usually starts early with gym or field training before a 12-hour nursing shift.”
The balancing act comes with sacrifices. Recovery, rest and personal time are often limited, and family moments are sometimes missed entirely. “The most painful sacrifice is not being able to go home and spend time with my family,” she admits.
Still, she continues to pursue both callings with unwavering commitment. For Nomsa, rugby and nursing are deeply connected through shared values. “The same values guide me in both: discipline, compassion, resilience, teamwork and commitment.”
There have been moments where exhaustion and conflicting schedules tested her resolve, but she continues to lean on purpose to keep going. “When things become overwhelming, I remind myself why I chose both paths in the first place,” she says.
More Than an Athlete
Rugby has shaped Nomsa far beyond the field. It has taught her how to handle pressure, trust others, and remain grounded through challenges. “You learn very quickly that success is never achieved alone,” she says. “It comes from supporting others and allowing others to support you too.”
She credits much of her growth to the support of her family, friends, colleagues, the Potchefstroom community, and the North-West University School of Nursing.
Outside of rugby and nursing, Nomsa embraces a softer side of life. She enjoys cooking, baking, fashion, modelling and spending time with loved ones. “Most of all, I love rocking my outfits and taking pictures,” she laughs.
A Legacy Beyond the Game
Nomsa’s ambitions extend well beyond personal success. She hopes to continue representing her country at the highest level while also growing in knowledge and compassion as a nurse. “My biggest dream is to succeed in both careers while staying true to who I am,” she says. “I want to use rugby and nursing to inspire, serve and create impact beyond myself.”
