'Crazy': The eight minutes that shaped Ngxingolo’s Bok career
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Yonela Ngxingolo is set to join an exclusive club on Saturday when she becomes only the second Springbok Women’s player to reach 50 Test caps.
The 28-year-old prop will follow in the footsteps of Nolusindiso Booi, becoming the second South African woman to reach the milestone.
However, unlike Booi, Ngxingolo is set to achieve the feat on home soil when the Springbok Women face Ireland at Athlone Stadium on Saturday. She has been named on the bench for the historic occasion.
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“Crazy,” Ngxingolo said when asked about the upcoming milestone.
“I never thought I would make it at this age, at this time.
“For me, it’s quite an exciting moment.
“I think the little Yonela is probably cheering from a distance, because that Yonela versus now, it’s two different people.
“I really have grown mentally, physically, and also in terms of the game.”
For Ngxingolo, the achievement is a reflection of years of hard work, consistency and commitment to the national team.
“I never focus on the bigger picture of 50 caps, but it’s always about consistency first and putting the team first.
“So, for me, it’s just reflecting on myself, and I’m just patting myself on the back, saying that you’ve been consistent and you’ve stayed in the fight, through thick and thin with this team.”
From flank to prop
Hailing from East London, Ngxingolo is a multi-talented athlete whose sporting journey began long before she established herself in the green and gold.
She played netball and practised karate before rugby’s physicality proved irresistible.
The Bulls Dasies forward started playing rugby at the age of 15, initially featuring at flank before making the switch to prop.
After representing the Border Bulldogs, she earned a place in the Springbok setup at 19. However, age restrictions for props at international level meant she had to wait another year before making her Test debut.
That opportunity arrived against Wales in 2018.
Since then, Ngxingolo has represented South Africa at two Rugby World Cups, including the landmark 2025 tournament in England, where the Springbok Women reached the quarterfinals for the first time.
Although she was a regular starter early in her international career, her ability to scrum on both sides has since made her a valuable option off the bench, earning her a place in the group affectionately known as the “Blom Squad”.
Despite the significance of reaching 50 caps, Ngxingolo has not forgotten the nerves and excitement surrounding her first taste of international rugby.
She recalled being selected for her first overseas tour, when many of her teammates were also preparing to make their international debuts.
“The majority of us were uncapped at the time, and we played a friendly game against the Army Forces.
“I was on the bench, and they gave me eight minutes. The reason why I’m starting there is the fact that I got eight minutes to prove myself for the Test match against Wales that was coming up.
“And one thing I told myself in those eight minutes is that you need to make use of it so that you can be seen.
“Fast forward, I got on in the second half when it started. And, to be honest, I was scared because I was 20 at the time.
“So, that taught me that every opportunity you get, you must use it because you never know whether you might get the chance in the next game or not.
“So, for me, that obviously was the main thing, and I cried.”
Eight minutes may have been all she initially received, but Ngxingolo made the most of her opportunities and went on to become one of the Springbok Women’s most experienced players.
Now, as she prepares to reach the 50-Test milestone, the occasion promises to be another emotional chapter in her journey.
Given her passion for the game, it would come as little surprise if the prop shed a tear when she takes to the field at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.
