With a nickname like “Stix” you would expect Pauline Mbongo to be one of the smallest players in the Potchefstroom Dorp Rugby Club’s women’s team. Names can be deceiving as Mbongo is one of the fiercest, strongest and most committed players at the club. Mbongo plays in the tight head position with the number 3 on her back and is also a wrestler with seven years’ experience under her belt.
“My rugby career started when I wanted to start a new sport in order to keep fit. There were no wrestling clubs when I came to Potch so I needed something to do,” mentioned Mbongo, who is currently a 4th year B.Ed. student at the North-West Univer- sity.
Mbongo joined Potchefstroom Dorp Rugby Club in early 2018 and has not looked back since, impressing with her physicality, tenacity and fitness. “I think my wrestling background has really helped me with my rugby in the sense that I am used to the physicality in- volved. One thing that rugby has really helped me with is to keep fit and strong. This is especially the case when making tackles which takes a lot of effort,” said Mbongo.
Another aspect that attracts Mbongo to rugby is the family atmosphere at the club and in the game in general.
“We work together as a family and we are in each other’s company. It really creates a bond between us on and off the field,” she added. Rugby has also taught Mbongo a couple of life lessons with regards to confidence and self-belief.
“I have learnt to never be scared of your opponent and to be confident in anything on the field as well as off it,” she ex- plained. Her dream would be to represent the SA Women’s Sevens team and to also play for the NWU Women’s 7’s team one day.
“It’s funny, I used to be small that is why they called me “Stix”. The nickname is still there but I am much stronger, fitter and bigger now.” A fitting summary of a player that will go far in the sport of rugby with big things awaiting her.
