Nomsa Mokwai: The Springbok who saves lives

WHEN patients arrive at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital's Level 1 trauma centre in Cape Town, they rarely realise that the caring nurse helping to treat them is also a Springbok rugby player.

- ZELDA VENTER [e-mail]

Professional nurse Nomsa Mokwai prides herself on being particular about nursing practices, but, when she's not working with the trauma team, she proudly puts on another uniform, that of the green and gold of the Springbok women's rugby team.

It's a role she also takes very seriously, devoting much of her off-duty time to working out in the gym and squad training. The team she's a part of recently represented South Africa in the Women's Rugby World Cup in the United Kingdom, where they reached the quarterfinals.

Mokwai says she loves the variety her job offers. At times, she has to channel her inner strength and show courage when coping with immense pressure. But this is a skill she relishes practising because, as a Springbok forward, she must use her physical strength against their opponents.