When Thandi Mokatse plays rugby, it’s often a case of the opponents having the ball and suddenly not having it anymore.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise. When the Tuks loose forward is asked what she brings to the team when she plays for them, her honest answer is, “I steal balls. That’s my best quality as a player,” she laughs when saying it.
Adding, “I love creating opportunities for my teammates.”
Mokatse is modest, however. When she has the ball in her hand, it is guaranteed that she will test any team’s defence. She is not easily stopped. The second-year education student proved this against Maties when she scored a try. On Monday against UKZN, she was the Player of the Match.
Tuks play UWC on their home field tomorrow in the final group match. It promises to be a humdinger because they are the two leading teams in the competition. Tuks are yet to be beaten. UWC lost to UKZN but scored 19 tries in four matches. That is the most for the tournament. Tuks scored 14 times.
“I’m not going to lie, I’m nervous about tomorrow’s match against UWC. It’s going to be tough. If there’s one thing that will help us, it’s our mental toughness. We’re not just another team. We’re ‘sisters’ with a common goal, which is to be the best we can be in every game we play.”
Mokatse says she initially played netball and volleyball. However, everything changed the day a boys’ rugby program was started at the school.
“I was immediately interested. So I asked the coach whether I could play with the boys. He had no problem with me doing so. After some time, I got invited to train with the Bulls’ under-16 girls team.”
“Let me put it this way. I come from one of those schools where women’s sports were not important. There were no opportunities. We played netball for fun. I saw that rugby would offer me opportunities, and I was right. Through rugby, I also learned to become a better person.
“I base my life on one principle. Whatever you do, do it with all your might. That got me through last year when I seriously injured my ankle. I couldn’t play rugby at all for six months. It was bad, but there was no way I was going to miss out on playing for Tuks in the Varsity Cup.
“I did everything and more than what was expected from me during the rehabilitation process. The game against UJ was my first since my injury. I know now that every setback can be overcome if you put your mind to it.”
Kickoff for tomorrow’s game against UWC is at 15:00.
