Versatile player Jakkie Cilliers has evolved with the Springbok Women

Both the national team and their talented centre, wing and kicker are at the 2025 World Cup to showcase their growth over the past three years.

- By Yanga Sibembe

Jacomien "Jakkie" Cilliers only gravitated to rugby at competitive level as recently as 2021. Since then, the versatile player has become a valuable asset for both her franchise, the Bulls Daisies, as well as the Springbok Women.

Cilliers will be integral to the Springboks' quest over the next five weeks to finally reach the knockout round of a World Cup. Despite being fairly new to playing rugby, Cilliers (24) has quickly demonstrated her exceptional talent and rugby IQ.

Capable of helping the team from the wing or as a centre, the Daisies star is also comfortable with kicking the ball. In fact, in this year's Women's Premier Division South Africa's semiprofessional top flight - Cilliers was the top points scorer. Her 127 points helped the Daisies complete a historic hat-trick as they won the tournament for the third successive season.

"Over the couple of seasons that I've been with the Bulls there's been so much growth that has happened. I really enjoy every moment playing with them, knowing that I'm training every day with top-tier players," Cilliers told Daily Maverick.

"[The Daisies environment] is definitely going to help me during the World Cup. Obviously, this is a different level. But with both the Springboks and the Daisies, I've learnt new stuff about myself as an individual, including how I carry myself on and off the field."

All-rounder in sport

Cilliers describes herself as a "farm girl" from the Free State. The eldest of three siblings, she is the only girl. Her brothers are both working in farming, but she has chosen a different path.

Growing up with boys, Cilliers says, toughened her up. But she was always athletic and explored various sports from athletics and cricket to netball.