Nurse by night, Springbok by day

In recognition of International Trauma Day on October 17, we caught up with Maitland resident Nomsa Mokwai, who lives a remarkable double life - trauma nurse by night and Springbok rugby player by day.

When patients arrive at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital’s  Level 1 trauma centre, few realise that the gentle, attentive nurse helping to care for them is also a national athlete. 

“I became a nurse because I wanted to help people. I like to encourage them not to lose hope and to see them get better,” she said.

But when she’s not in scrubs, Ms Mokwai swaps her uniform for the green and gold jersey of the Springbok Women’s Rugby Team, which recently represented South Africa at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in the United Kingdom, reaching the quarter-finals. She plays the Springbok forward position.

Balancing these two demanding worlds takes stamina and discipline.

“I work night shifts, and straight after work I often go to the gym or training. Sometimes I swap shifts with other nurses so I can attend Springbok camps. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it,” she said.

For Ms Mokwai, the link between rugby and nursing lies in teamwork.

“In a medical setting, you can be the best at what you do, but you still need others beside you to succeed. You can’t resuscitate someone alone - you rely on your team. Rugby teaches us the same thing. You might be fit and strong, but you can’t win on your own. Both my uniforms remind me that teamwork saves lives,” she said.

She credits Netcare and her unit manager, Taahira Mondell, for supporting her sporting ambitions. “I’ve been encouraged all the way, and I’m very grateful,” she said.

Ms Mokwai admits rugby wasn’t always part of her plan.

“I grew up thinking girls played netball or basketball. But I wanted to prove women can play rugby too. Rugby brings people from different backgrounds together and creates a bond like family.”

Off the field, she enjoys baking, cooking, and sewing her own clothes, and as a former model, she still loves fashion and style.

“My coaches couldn’t believe a model played rugby. But I’m still a woman - I love lashes, makeup, and a nice outfit,” she said.

Whether she’s saving lives in the trauma unit or tackling opponents on the field, Ms Mokwai says both roles fulfil her.

 “It’s about compassion, courage, and teamwork. I want to inspire young girls to follow their passions and know they can do more than one thing - wear two uniforms and still walk tall.”