Photo: Catha Jacobs / Instagram
As the Springbok Women continue their Rugby World Cup campaign — making history with a first-ever win over Italy, testing themselves against France, and more recently facing New Zealand — one name carries special pride for Ermelo: Catha Jacobs, a forward who has worked her way steadily from the fields of Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie to the world stage.
Catha attended Ligbron from 2012 to 2016, where she was well known for her commitment and sporting ability. She took part in a wide range of activities, excelling in athletics, hockey, tennis, and cross-country running. In her matric year she was elected head girl, and also captained both the 1st hockey team and the cross-country team. Teachers who knew her at school describe her as cheerful, with a good sense of humour, and dedicated in everything she set out to do.
After school, Catha initially focused on rowing, even considering an Atlantic challenge, before finding rugby during her studies at UJ. What started in sevens rugby soon developed into a place in the national setup. By 2021, she earned her first cap for the Springbok Women, and the following year she played overseas for Saracens in England.
Today, she is part of a Springbok squad making new strides for women’s rugby in South Africa. From her early days at Ligbron to her current role in the green and gold, Catha’s journey reflects steady hard work, commitment, and pride in representing her country — and her hometown.
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