Football boots, early morning lectures, late-night training sessions, and dreams of playing on the biggest stages in the country – that is just another week in the life of a UP-Tuks women’s footballer. Women’s football in South Africa has come a long way, and thanks to the Hollywoodbets Super League, more young girls are beginning to see that the beautiful game is not just for boys. Behind every 90-minute match is a story of sacrifice, resilience, and determination, something UP athletes Lili Rutsch and S’bahle Ndlovu know all too well.
For Rutsch, the love affair with football started at just five years old. What began as kicking a ball around quickly turned into a dream, one that has now led her to the Hollywoodbets Super League. “Being brought up to play for Tuks Ladies means a great deal to me, not only for who I am now, but also for the little girl who first picked up a soccer ball,” she said.
For Ndlovu, seeing boys from her hometown being scouted by PSL clubs sparked something bigger. “I wanted to be more than just a girl playing soccer with boys,” she explained. “I wanted to represent my country one day.” It is proof that every football journey starts somewhere, whether it is a school field, a provincial camp, or simply refusing to let go of a dream.
Being a student-athlete might sound glamorous, but in reality, it is a carefully planned juggling act. While most students spend their afternoons catching up on assignments or meeting friends for coffee, UP players are swopping lecture halls for training pitches. Ndlovu explained that planning is everything. “Most of our training sessions are in the afternoon, so I attend lectures during the day. Most of our matches are on weekends, and I make sure I don’t have Friday classes so I don’t have to stress about missing lectures.”
Rutsch remembers balancing school, compulsory sport, and UP training while she was still in matric. “I’d have school sport first, then head straight to Tuks for training, and only study once I got home.” It sounds exhausting, but neither player would have it any other way. In fact, Ndlovu describes joining the UP women’s team as “the best decision [she has] ever made”, while Rutsch credits the club for helping her grow in confidence, discipline and maturity both on and off the field.
Women’s football has grown tremendously over the past few years, but outdated stereotypes have not disappeared completely. Both players admit they have had moments where they felt underestimated simply because they were women playing football. “There are still people who don’t see women’s soccer as a serious career,” Rutsch said. “I choose to let my performances speak for themselves.” For Ndlovu, the criticism started even earlier. Growing up, she was often judged for playing football with boys and later found herself being undermined by older teammates when she joined a new club. Instead of letting those experiences define her, they strengthened her. “Today, I look at it as a blessing in disguise,” she said. “It taught me how to deal with different environments instead of running away from them.”
Ask either player about the Hollywoodbets Super League, and you will get the same answer: women’s football is moving in the right direction. Rutsch believes that the league has given players a platform to shine while inspiring younger girls to believe that football can become a viable career. Ndlovu agreed, saying, “Now all the matches are live, and more sponsors are starting to support women’s football. I think in the next few years, the league will become even more exciting, competitive, and professional.”
Of course, there is still room for growth. Rutsch hopes to see more investment in players, better facilities, and greater media coverage so that the women’s game can continue reaching new heights.
If there is one message both players want to leave with the next generation this Women’s Month, it is this: do not let anyone tell you that football is not for you. “Never stop dreaming,” Ndlovu said. Rutsch echoed the same sentiment. “Believe in yourself and never let anyone tell you that your dreams are too big… If you stay committed and never give up, opportunities will come.”
The next generation of South African footballers is already watching from the sidelines. Thanks to women like Lili Rutsch and S’bahle Ndlovu, they are no longer just dreaming of stepping onto the pitch; they are believing that they belong there.
