From a rural village in the Eastern Cape to leading South Africa’s national women’s team to the rugby world cup, Nolusindiso “Cindy” Booi’s story is that of hope, perseverance and inspiration. I sat down with her at the Lunch with Legends panel discussion at Hamilton Rugby Football Club, SA’s oldest rugby club, also known as Hammies.
“I was athletic, and a very skinny girl. I looked like a boy running around playing all these sports in primary school,” explains Cindy with a chuckle.
What many don’t know about her is that her journey into a sporting career began with cricket, athletics and cricket. Rugby was the last thing on Cindy’s mind when she realized that she was athletic. In fact, her entry point into rugby was when she studied towards her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Fort Hare. “I didn’t think rugby was something I was gonna play, even though my brothers were playing. I just went to their practice to see what’s going on, but I was still convinced that it was not something I was going to play.”
Looking at Cindy’s performance and passion today, we would never assume that she started playing the game so late in her life. Many professional sportsmen and women are groomed to be the professional players that we see on our TV screens from early on in their lives. Usually, they follow a very strategic trajectory in terms of schools and tertiary institutions they attend.
Since Cindy came from humble beginnings, her path was not quite so linear. Cindy had to make a tough choice between her education and her commitment to rugby. “In order for me to go to rugby practice, I had to cut the practical [part of my studies]. Since I didn’t have my own transport, I was using public transport and it would take me three and a half hours to get there, but I had to be at practice in order for me to play, and in order for me to be selected to the team”.
“I made a lot of sacrifices that I’m not even regretting. Even though they cost me, I’m not regretting it because of where I am today”.
“I am so blessed with the family that I grew up with, even though we didn’t have a lot, I had support and love. I am just grateful that they were there and the prayers that they prayed for us paved the way for the future Springbok women’s captain,” says Cindy heartwarmingly.
Reflecting on the state of women’s rugby, in particular and women’s sport, in general, Cindy says that she has seen a huge shift in the way the women’s sports are being backed officially and by the fans. “We have so many fans in SA and it’s the first time we have experienced such. It’s something that we only experienced when we were far away”.
In terms of women’s sports, she notices a level of professionalism that hadn’t yet existed when she entered this vocation: “We used to go to the game without getting anything until you made the cut. Now, things are more professional. We are getting contracts and the things we were looking for – we are being treated professionally”.
“The players that are going to play now are going to be better than us, because they play rugby from an early age and they will understand rugby. They will know better than us,” says Cindy with a proud twinkle in her eye. “They will play like pros. I say thanks to the ones who started because if they didn’t start it, it was not gonna be possible for any of us. We started with nothing”.
Cindy is an inspiration to many, both on and off the pitch. Based on my conversation with her, I can see that she understands the gravity of her impact on young people, particularly those from small towns and rural areas. “You have to believe in yourself. Don’t let anyone distract you. If you let people doubt you or let them say negative things about you that’s when you will be discouraged or disappointed, but you must think positively,” encourages Cindy.
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Feature image: Springboks Rugby / (website)
