Sizophila Solontsi: Teacher, gym instructor-turned-Bok now part of history-making Bulls Daisies

"I never had a dream of playing for the national team. I just wanted to get my fees paid."

Springbok women’s and Bulls Daisies No 8 Sizophila Solontsi never imagined that a life as professional rugby player was possible in her future, much less becoming a South African international rugby player.

The former Sharks backrower, who is as capable at blindside flank as at the back of the scrum, started playing rugby as a fun activity while studying at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), who later offered study bursaries for female rugby players.

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But a decade after she picked up her first rugby ball as a third-year sports science student in Durban, Solontsi is part of the ground-breaking and pathfinding Bulls Daisies team.

The Bulls Daisies made history by becoming the first South African rugby union to offer full professional contracts this year when they signed 35 players for a two-year period.

It was an attractive proposition that lured some of SA’s best women’s rugby players such as Solontsi, Lusanda Dumke, Zintle Mpupha, Yonela Ngxingolo and Simamkele Namba to Pretoria.

For many of them, earning a living wage and playing rugby is something that has transformed their personal and family financial situations.

"I went to the University of KwaZulu-Natal and that’s where I started playing my rugby in my third year," said Solontsi about her journey to the top.

"I studied sports science and did my honours there but did my post-grad certificate in education, so I’m a qualified teacher as well.

"My mother didn’t want me to play any sport before I got my degree and qualification. She was happy with me playing rugby as soon as rugby provided for my