In her display image on WhatsApp, Aseza Hele appears flawless. Her fitted jacket and accompanying white, above-the-knee dress are perfectly smooth. Her light blue footwear matches her handbag with precision.
Her lips, curved into a wide grin, are a vibrant crimson, mirroring the hue of the floral decorations behind her, as her styled hair cascades over her shoulders in carefully arranged ringlets.
Her manner of speaking is gentle, and she seems perpetually on the verge of laughter. She genuinely, and truthfully, describes herself as a “sweetheart” who consistently endeavors to bring joy to any environment she enters. It’s not surprising that a junior netball instructor nicknamed her “Blommie,” which translates to flower in the Afrikaans language.
‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
However, on a rugby field, there’s a notable shift. Professional sportspeople have frequently referenced the phenomenon of “white line fever,” elucidating the change from a composed individual to an intense competitor once they step onto the field of play. Nevertheless, even when judged against these accounts, Hele’s alteration is remarkable, potentially rivaling that of Dr. Jekyll.
“I am a sweetheart,” she acknowledges, “but during the game, you witness the emergence of a fierce competitor. I struggle to articulate how I reach that mental space.”
Hele is a formidable presence on the playing surface. She powerfully engages in physical contests at every opportunity, overwhelming potential tacklers or forcefully dispossessing opposing players, exhibiting the ferocity of a Viking warrior.
Her powerful presence at the back of the Springboks scrum has been instrumental in the squad’s advancement in the global rankings, and she stands out as one of the group’s most effective weapons; she has successfully scored 13 tries in 28 appearances and, among the current forward players, has acquired the highest point total.
She laughs while attempting to articulate this aggression. “When I view recorded footage of myself, I truly do not recognize the person I see on the screen,” she elucidates. “I can recall the initial instance I observed the highlights reel, and I was surprised. I thought, ‘That can’t possibly be me’.”
“It was actually quite startling because you find it difficult to accept that you are capable of such behavior. My voice is gentle in tone. People often express that I am excessively kind. I am simply an amiable person. When I encounter individuals in public or in commercial areas, they comment, ‘You are so pleasant in person’.”
“However, I now admire what I see. It is not that I metamorphose into a completely different individual. I transition into a modified variant of myself. The person I am during a match is me. It is an aspect of who I am. It is advantageous that I am capable of releasing that part of myself. I feel it’s vital to demonstrate to people that females and young women are capable of being multifaceted.”
Hele identifies with the sentiments advocated by the celebrated American athlete, Ilona Maher, who has questioned conventional beliefs about women involved in sports by proudly displaying her well-developed physique while championing body positivity.
“She serves as a source of inspiration,” Hele states. “She suggests we should not feel ashamed of ourselves. We possess the capacity to be both powerful and aesthetically pleasing. I am uncertain if I qualify as a role model, but if that is the case, it is truly remarkable. It is my aspiration that individuals will observe my example and embrace the belief that they are capable of embodying multiple facets in life.”
Hele credits her strength of character to her formative years. Born in KwaDwesi, a residential area within Gqeberha located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, she and her sister experienced the loss of both their parents while they were still pursuing their education. Consequently, they were taken care of by both their paternal and maternal grandmothers, namely Joyce and Zodwa.
“They possessed an incredible inner fortitude,” Hele declares. “They assumed responsibility and offered us everything that we needed. I frequently state that I consider myself my grandmother’s daughter. My mother was present; however, she was employed far away. My grandmother was the primary caregiver during my upbringing. She instilled in me a sense of discipline and instructed me on how to be gentle but also discerning when to assert my strength.”
Joyce died earlier in the current year, and although she was never able to observe her granddaughter perform in person – “she frequently wished to break the television set when I was tackled and stated she would rush onto the pitch if she saw me get injured in person” – she was immensely proud of both the player and the person Hele had grown to be.
The resilience that Hele mentions, which she displays each time she enters the playing field, originates not from anger but from affection.
“While I am participating in the game, I am contemplating my sister, my nephews, my grandmother – I am performing for their benefit,” she acknowledges. “I contemplate the entire nation of South Africa and all individuals who are not able to engage in my activities, those who are not as fortunate as I have been. It is my desire that they perceive their support as meaningful.”
She pauses momentarily. Her inherent lightness gives way to an expression of thoughtfulness: “Even during the eightieth minute, when I must execute another tackle, I reflect on them. This is the origin of my strength.”
This explains her firm position that she is not seeking to relocate internationally. Presently, she is one of only a pair of Springboks who participate in club rugby with the Boland Dames. She previously played for Harlequins in England and would unquestionably enhance any team globally.
The Bulls Daisies situated in Pretoria, the sole professional women’s team in South Africa, have expressed interest, but Hele is resolved to remain where she is.
She is concluding an online course to become a foundational teacher, further emphasizing the juxtaposition between her fierce persona on the pitch. “I’d never be the same with young children!” She quips. “When I retire one day I think I’ll leave the monster behind me.”
She’s not there yet. She’s only 30 and eyeing up a leading role at this year’s World Cup. “I’m focussed and hungry,” she adds, her tone darkening as the beast inside rises to the surface.
“Our team is superior to how we performed during the previous competition [in New Zealand in 2022 when South Africa lost all three group matches]. We exude confidence. We are prepared. Our objective isn’t to form relationships or be accommodating.”
She may be known as Blommie, but this flower is equipped with thorns.
