Between hospital corridors and rugby fields, Nomsa Mokwai has built a life of compassion and courage… one uniform for healing, another for national pride.
Western Cape, South Africa (20 October 2025) – When patients walk into Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital’s Level 1 trauma centre, they’re usually met by a warm smile, a gentle voice, and steady hands, unaware that the nurse helping save their life is also a national rugby player.
Professional nurse and Springbok, Nomsa Mokwai, lives two extraordinary lives that somehow balance perfectly. In one, she’s part of a team saving lives in a world-class trauma unit. In the other, she’s a fierce forward representing South Africa in the green and gold jersey… most recently helping the Springbok women reach the quarter-finals at the Rugby World Cup in the United Kingdom.
Nomsa is softly spoken, stylish, and has the kind of quiet confidence that comes from doing work you truly love.
“I became a nurse because I wanted to help people,” she says. “I have the kind of personality that wants to nurture and see people getting better. I like to encourage people when they’re having treatment at the hospital and to help them not to lose hope.”
That same drive extends to her rugby career.
“I 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’.”
Her two professions might seem miles apart, but Nomsa says they’re connected by the same principles… teamwork, courage and heart.
“In a medical setting, you can be as brilliant as ever, but you still need the person next to you to help you be successful. You cannot resuscitate somebody alone. You need a colleague to manage airways, circulation, and medication. It helps to identify other people’s strengths and combine them with yours to save a life,” she explains.
And on the field, it’s no different.
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Balancing night shifts and Springbok training camps is no easy task, but Nomsa makes it work with grit and grace.
“I work night shifts, so immediately after work, I go to the gym or for training. Sometimes I swap shifts so that I can attend training camps,” she says.
She credits her colleagues and hospital management for supporting her dual journey.
“I’ve been assisted and supported, and I have really appreciated this,” she adds, paying tribute to her unit manager, Taahira Mondell, and the Netcare team.
Nomsa laughs when asked why she chose rugby.
“Because many people don’t think women can play rugby. I never thought I’d play because I grew up thinking girls played netball or basketball, and the guys played rugby. I want to prove that we can do exactly the same as men do.”
She says rugby’s sense of community is what makes it special.
“It connects you with different characters and cultures and encourages you to merge and become a family. It has that special quality.”
When she’s not saving lives or tackling opponents, Nomsa loves to bake, especially dark chocolate brownies, and cook pasta dishes. She also sews her own clothes and still embraces her love for fashion.
“My previous rugby coaches couldn’t understand that there was this model who plays rugby,” she laughs. “But regardless of the physical sport that I play, I’m still a woman. I love looking beautiful — lashes, makeup, nails and all.”
Her colleagues may see her as strict, but she smiles at the description.
“It’s not that I want things done my way. I just want them done the right way.”
Whether she’s wearing scrubs or a Springbok jersey, Nomsa stands for strength with heart.
“Seeing people getting better is what we want to see every day,” she says. “And with rugby, the best feeling isn’t just about winning, it’s about inspiring others.”
Her story is a reminder that purpose doesn’t have to fit neatly into one box. You can be both, gentle and strong, healer and fighter. Nomsa Mokwai embodies the best of both worlds… proof that one woman, in two uniforms, can make a difference wherever she stands.
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