VIDEO: Mokone patiently chasing Bok dream
Every now and then, an incredible talent gradually makes their mark and steals the hearts of South African fans.
And with Patience Mokone, it is no different.
The Springbok Women’s back Mokone is slowly adding her name to the long list of incredible South African wingers.
The first few months of 2025 have simply been amazing for the 23-year-old, born and bred in Pretoria.
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The winger helped the Bulls Daisies claim a third consecutive Women’s Premier Division title. She finished the league as the leading try-scorer with 13 tries.
Her impressive pace and try-scoring abilities saw her earn a BlitzBoks Women’s call-up in head coach Renfred Dazel’s side.
She scored in her debut match for the sevens team during the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Poland.
She then travelled to Los Angeles with the squad, where they played in the HSBC SVNS Play-off tournament at Sports Park.
And it wasn’t long before she got a call from Swys de Bruin to join the Springbok Women’s squad.
In pure Mokone fashion, she made her debut against Uganda and scored a brace of tries during the 62-7 win. In Round Two, the speedster’s perfect run set up a crucial try for Lerato Makua in the 19-12 win over Kenya.
She finished the tournament with another double, where the Springboks recorded a 61-17 win over Madagascar and secured their fourth Rugby Africa Cup title.
The young player is currently one of 11 on standby at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport for the Bok Women.
In an exclusive interview with Rugby365, she revealed that being in the Springboks camp has taught her how to deal with the last few months.
“It has been a whirlwind, but being in the Springboks environment has helped me to embrace it.”
Reflecting on her first Springbok cap, Mokone said: “I was a little bit nervous before the game.
“But when I got onto the field, the excitement came.
“When I scored those tries, I knew someone had to do it. It was only after the match that I realised: I made my sevens debut in Poland and scored, and in fifteens, I made my debut and scored too.
“It made me experience all sorts of emotions.”
She added: “My goal was always to play for the Springboks – whether SVNS or XVs.”
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The former rugby tag player, who looks very comfortable on the SVNS circuit, revealed that this was her first time in eight years playing the format.
“The last time I played sevens, I was a 15-year-old.
“When I went to the sevens set-up, it was different. But I was open to learning.
“Now I know the difference. I know the transition I have to make between the two.
“It’s not easy, but I give myself enough time to transition between the two codes.”
She added: “The only challenge is on the field. How we defend – you know, the wing is usually on the end.
“But with sevens, as a wing, you often find yourself in the middle of the field being the scrumhalf or flyhalf.
“The language is also different. So I have to remind myself whether I’m opening my sevens book or 15s book – and then there’s also, for me, the Bulls book.
“But for me, being in the sevens has helped lift my standards for fifteens.”
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Talking about her journey to the field, she said she was a track athlete and at the age of 14 got her first taste of rugby when she was invited to the Bulls Daisies.
“I was invited to the Bulls Daisies Rugby Tens squad. I trained with them and met a lot of seniors.
“That same year, I trained with the senior team during the off-season and that’s where I met the likes of Zintle Mpupha, Ayanda Malinga and everyone else.
“Being exposed to people with experience helped me a lot.”
She said knowing there are a lot of people in her position gives her role models to look up to.
“I have people I can look up to.”
She credits her success to her family, teammates, and coaches who have helped nurture her into the player she is becoming.
“My family inspires me – I have to make it because of them.
“I also look up to people from here [Pretoria]. I looked up to players I’ve seen shine. They are, or were, Springboks players.
“So what excites me is that we have the same stories. Having contact with those people and having them as my teammates is something special.
“Ayanda Malinga is one person who was shining when I was still in the juniors – Zintle, Nadine Roos, and Coach Zenay Jordaan.”
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The Springboks Women’s side has a very unique culture with their singing and dancing
When asked about the Bok Women’s culture, she said singing has helped them with unity.
“The songs are mostly from initiation schools. We get a song and make sure it’s for everyone.
“We have different players in our team, and they need to understand what we’re singing before we get into the rhythm of it.
“We feel like when we’re singing, we also get ourselves into game mode.”
Aside from her talent, making her unmissable, her signature look has also got the rugby fraternity talking.
“Those colourful hairstyles – they boost my self-esteem and put me in a good mood.
“So if I go for darker colours, they dim my confidence and everything.
“I just want to make my hairstyle colourful, especially when I’m playing.
“I’m definitely getting a brighter colour soon.”
She stated: “I don’t plan the actual colours – I just get whatever, as long as it’s bright.”
New tickets for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 are now available, with prices starting at £10 for adults and £5 for children. Buy now!
