Springbok Women’s Rugby scrumhalf Felicia Jacobs, 22, interest in rugby has influenced numerous young girls from Scottsdene to follow in her footsteps – and their dreams.
The Tygerberg Women’s Rugby player kicked off her rugby journey at Cavalleria Primary School in 2010.
She then went on to Scottsdene High School in Kraaifontein. The school did not have a rugby team, and so she asked the principal at the school if they could form a team. After getting the green light, she and many young girls joined.
In 2013, after two years of bombing out of trials, she finally made the Western Province team. After that, she never stopped working hard.
She bagged a couple of accolades in her first year of playing for the senior provincial women’s rugby team, which include the Best Player of The Week at the National tournament for 2013 and for 2014, and the Player of The Year award. The following year, she got the Best Player at the Youth Training Centres (YTC) rugby festival hosted by SA Rugby.
Jacobs assisted the provincial team to Cup and gold medal victory at the Inter-provincial Women’s Rugby tournament in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
“I enjoy playing rugby. Playing rugby was a dream come true. As a child, I always dreamed of running onto the field and enjoying myself. My rugby started in primary school in grade 7, 2010. I and a few other Grade 7 girls formed teams and played against each other,” she said.
“My school took part in the festivals that Western Province held for us. I took part at the festivals and they saw me and asked me to be a part of their elite squads. I didn’t make the Western Province under-16 girls team for two years (2011 and 2012). And finally, I made the team in 2013. That’s when my provincial rugby started,” she said.
Jacobs said some of the memories she will always cherish was the one game the provincial team needed a few points to win. They were behind and she came back to score the winning try in the final seconds of the match.
“ Last year in the finals when I pulled stiff on one of my legs, I couldn’t run further and I cried because I still wanted to play. My first game for the seniors was against the Blue Bulls and I got to score a try,” she said.
Jacobs said her background is her fuel to success and everyone should be inspired to see something positive from their circumstances.
“Never let your background or circumstances determine what you want to become in life. Rise above every obstacle in your way and keep following your dreams until it becomes your reality. Never give up because I didn’t make the team for two years yet I didn’t give up looking where I am now playing for the Springboks,” said Jacobs.