By day, Nomsa Mokwai is a professional nurse, but when she’s off the clock, she trades in her scrubs for something a little fiercer: the green and gold of the Springbok women’s rugby team.
Nomsa doesn’t just play rugby; she lives it. When she’s not working at the hospital, she’s all in at the gym or training with her squad, putting in serious hours to stay match-ready – and it shows. The Springbok Women’s team, which she’s a part of, made us proud by reaching the quarterfinals at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in the UK earlier this year.
In her nursing role, Nomsa often draws on the same grit and strength she uses on the field. Whether she’s tackling medical emergencies or rugby opponents, her power and courage are always in play.
Thriving in these different roles
“I became a nurse because I wanted to help people. I have the kind of personality that wants to help, that wants to nurture and see people getting better,” she shares. “I like to encourage people when they’re having the treatment they need at the hospital, and to help them not to lose hope.”
Nevertheless, she also wanted to play rugby because there’s a whole generation to inspire. “It’s that simple. If they see me doing it, it could spark something inside them that says, ‘I can too’,” she explains.
Nomsa acknowledges that it’s not always easy to manage her two demanding roles. “I work night shifts, so immediately after work, I go to the gym for training. Sometimes I swap work shifts with other nurses, so that I can attend the Springboks training camps,” she says.
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It’s all about teamwork
“I often think that in a medical setting, you can be as brilliant as ever, whether you are a doctor or a nurse or whatever other role, but you still require the person who is working next to you to help you to be successful,” she explains.
“For example, you cannot resuscitate somebody alone. You need someone else to manage the airways, a colleague to manage circulation, and someone to see to the medication, so that the procedure is a success. So, it helps to identify other people’s strengths and combine them with yours to save a life.”
She believes that rugby also teaches us to identify one another’s strengths. “It’s a team sport. As an individual, you can be very fit and super-fast, but you will never conquer your opposing team alone. You need your team for that,” she reflects.
“For me, both these uniforms mean teamwork. I love working with other people. I always learn from others, and I also love to teach them what I know,” she says.
She paid tribute to Netcare and her unit manager, Taahira Mondell, for allowing her to pursue her rugby career. “I’ve been assisted and supported, and I have really appreciated this.”
Why Nomsa chose rugby
Asked why, of all the sports available to women, she chose rugby, Nomsa laughs. “Because many people don’t think women can play rugby. I never thought I’d play rugby because I grew up thinking girls played netball and basketball, and the guys played rugby. I want to prove that we can do the same as men do,” she explains.
“I’ve played a lot of sports, but what makes rugby so unique is that it creates a bond that connects you with different characters and diverse cultures in a way that encourages you to merge and become a family. It has that special quality.”
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H2: The beautiful things in life
“I love to bake (especially dark chocolate brownies), cook delicious pasta dishes and sew my own clothes,” she says. She also used to do modelling and is still a confessed fashionista. “My previous rugby coaches couldn’t understand that there was this model that plays rugby. But regardless of the physical sport that I play, I’m still a woman, and I love looking beautiful – you know, having lashes, makeup, nails and a nice outfit.”
“Many people think I am that strong girl, that tough cookie. But I have a big, soft heart,” she shares. “I think my colleagues may see me as being quite strict because I like certain things being done a certain way at work. It’s not that I want it done my way, I want it done the right way.”
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Nomsa says that although she sometimes finds it a bit overwhelming when people recognise her, she admits it’s lovely to connect with different people, and to see that people really acknowledge and appreciate what she does.
The best of both worlds
“The best thing about my job is being able to be a compassionate and caring nurse to those I help, like when I can be a shoulder to cry on or share words of encouragement. Seeing people getting better is what we want to see every day,” she says.
“With rugby, the best feeling isn’t just about winning. Winning is a collective team effort, and it’s great when that happens. I want to inspire young girls and young women to play rugby, and I also want to inspire those who are struggling to juggle two things at the same time,” she reflects.
“I feel like this is my journey and my story. It’s a testimony to say that you actually can do this – be one woman, with two uniforms and many aspects – and still walk tall.”
Words: MNA of behalf of Netcare
Photography: Supplied
