Aseza Hele: What keeps the Springbok at the Boland Dames
EXCLUSIVE: Aseza Hele has been making headlines since the 2025 World Cup – and she’s not slowing down.
The Springbok Women No. 8, known for her ever-present smile, was in superb form at the global showpiece.
She is a relentless ball carrier, known for bulldozing through defenders and delivering bone-crunching tackles. Her work rate is exceptional, and made her one of the most valuable loose forwards at the 2025 World Cup.
She helped South Africa reach the quarterfinals for the first time in their history and has carried that momentum into the domestic season, playing a pivotal role in Boland Dames’ Women’s Super League campaign.
Over the weekend, Hele was named Player of the Match in Boland’s 21-15 victory over Western Province in Wellington.
Asked about the secret behind her consistency, Hele pointed to the people around her.
“My family, the girls [at Boland Dames], and I want to make people proud, because they’ve been backing me,” Hele told Rugby365.
Following her World Cup exploits, Hele attracted several lucrative offers, including overseas opportunities.
However, although she enjoyed a stint with the English club Harlequins a couple of years ago, she decided to stay in Wellington.
“We have a goal to win the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League, ” Hele said.
“I told coach Thomas Chowles that this year I’ll stay and try to reach the goal we set out to achieve.”
Cecil Afrika proud of BlitzBok Women after qualifying for the HSBC SVNS World Championship! #WomenInRugby #WomenInSports https://t.co/yD0miDKqtr
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Despite the financial appeal abroad, her priorities are clear.
Other Springbok players who were part of the 2025 World Cup at the union are Maceala Samboya and Eloise Webb, who joined the Boland side from Border at the start of the season.
“I would want to go, but I don’t want to leave the team without silverware. I want to leave a positive legacy with every step we take, and I want to be part of this journey with them.
“Money is important, but not as important as the people who have been with you all the way.”
Hele has also put plans in place off the field.
“This year, we need to win the WSL, and then after that, I can go enjoy my life and also finish my degree. I’ve been putting it on hold when I’m overseas; I can’t do it anymore, so I needed to get my life back on track and have a goal.”
With just 160 minutes potentially separating Boland from the title, the goal is within reach.
Their win over Western Province not only ended a long-standing dominance in the rivalry but also secured second place on the log – boosting their chances of a Final against the Bulls Daisies.
“It’s very special. It’s been years since we’ve been in third place, and now we’re in second.
“The girls really wanted to be in second, and it showed on the field on Saturday.”
A key difference this season has been belief.
“In the past, we used to go there and say they’re going to beat us and all that.
“But this time, we believe.
“It was about mindset and believing in yourself. Because, as I told them [the team], I cannot motivate you if it’s not inside you. If you don’t have the heart, then I can’t do anything about it. They are human beings – you can beat them.”
She added: “We were stronger, but we were also hungrier. We wanted to prove that we can play in the final. So now, building that momentum, motivation and confidence, I think we’re going to take it through to the next game.”
Boland Dames now travel to Durban to face the Sharks Women in the final round of the league, with momentum firmly on their side.
