In the narrow cobbled street of Dorp Street in Bo-Kaap, where rugby stories echo between brightly painted homes like the bounce of a ball on tar, a remarkable new chapter is about to be written.
Springbok Women scrumhalf Insaaf Levy is preparing to become the first qualified medical doctor to represent the senior national women’s team, carrying both a stethoscope and the weight of history into the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi.
At 23, Levy’s rise feels like a perfectly timed break from the base of a scrum. Sharp, intelligent and fearless.
The DHL Western Province (WP) player recently completed her medical degree at University of Cape Town while balancing the bruising demands of elite rugby. Many athletes struggle to keep sport and academics in the same orbit. Maia Joseph, daughter of former All Back Jamie Joseph, had to put her medical studies on hold to make her début at scrumhalf for the Black Ferns last year.
Levy managed to steer both with the precision of a scrumhalf firing a spiral pass into the hands of a charging runner.
Now, she stands on the edge of a milestone moment.
A Bok Dream Rooted in Rugby Heritage
Levy is one of nine uncapped players named in head coach Swys de Bruin’s Springbok Women squad for the continental tournament in Kenya from 23 to 31 May, where South Africa will face Madagascar, Uganda and hosts Kenya at the RFUEA Sports Grounds.
For Levy, the call-up is rooted in generations of rugby heritage.
She is the daughter of Labeeb Levy, the respected Stormers skills coach and current Stormers XXIII head coach. Her mother, Nadeema Levy, is the daughter of legendary former Western Province coach Sedick “Dickie” Sieed, a revered figure in Cape rugby circles in the Saru era whose influence still ripples through the community like a rolling maul.
One of the most intriguing threads in the Levy family rugby tapestry is that Insaaf may not be the only sibling destined for the national stage.
Her younger sister, Nuha Levy, 18, is already carving out her own reputation as a gifted playmaker at flyhalf at national level for South African Under-18 women’s side as well as for the DHL Western Province Under-20 women’s side.
Earlier this month, Nuha steered WP to a commanding 36-7 victory over Eastern Province in the 2026 U20 Women’s Week final in Alberton, underlining the depth of rugby intelligence flowing through the family bloodline.
Where Insaaf controls matches with the sharp instincts, slick passing and tempo of a seasoned scrumhalf, Nuha appears to possess the vision, tactical poise and game management of a natural flyhalf. Together, they carry the potential to become a formidable future halfback pairing for province and country.
The prospect alone feels mouthwatering for South African women’s rugby. A sister combination forged in the rugby-saturated streets of Bo-Kaap, raised in a household where tactical conversations flow as naturally as family meals, could one day become a crucial cog in the Springbok Women backline.
In many ways, the foundations are already in place.
“We always talking about rugby in our household,” said Levy.
“My dad would go from a normal conversation about literally anything else. He would think about something he saw and then the conversation just switches. I feel it’s helpful to get a tip here and there because you are always learning about the game.”
Bo-Kaap: A Community Built on Rugby
Bo-Kaap itself and in particular Dorp Street has long been fertile soil for rugby talent. The community breathes the game with the devotion of a packed grandstand singing before kick-off.
“In Bo-Kaap, Saturdays the roads are quiet because everyone has gone to the rugby or they are inside watching rugby,” Levy explained.
“It’s inevitable they (the community) would end up supporting the kids who want to take their rugby further.”
The same Dorp Street that shaped Levy also produced exciting young scrumhalf Haashim Pead, whose meteoric rise with the Junior Springboks turned him into one of the brightest prospects in world rugby. These youngsters continue in the tradition of the legendary former Saru flyhalf and captain Fagmie Solomons, fleetfooted WP winger Zahier Ryland as well as the skilful Adnaan Osman who represented WP at flyhalf and fullback.
Levy’s own rugby education started long before provincial fifteens. At seven years old, she began playing touch rugby, quickly emerging as one of the country’s standout talents.
She represented Western Cape at junior and senior level, competed in ladies, mixed and even competed in men’s divisions nationally and captained South Africa’s U18 girls’ team at the Youth World Cup in Malaysia in 2018. At the same tournament were Sevens circuit regulars Mahina Paul of New Zealand and Faith Nathan and Madison Ashby of Australia. She then also represented the senior ladies Touch World Cup team as a 17-year-old again in Malaysia as well as in Nottingham in England.
Her sporting reach stretched even further. Levy also represented UCT’s first netball side and played for the Western Province U21 netball team during her early university years.
Built through repetition
That versatility now shapes the way she controls a rugby match.
“As a scrumhalf, passing has been my main focus since I was younger,” she said.
“My dad would say come after supper you have to pass 500 balls left and right, then you can go do what you want.”
The repetition fashioned her core skill like steel hammered in a furnace.
“Besides passing there are other aspects of my game I work on. I watch a lot of other scrumhalves because everyone plays differently. Sometimes you must control the game a bit. It’s the finer details I want to improve on.”
Levy studies the game through the lens of global masters. She admires Antoine Dupont (France) and Aaron Smith (New Zealand) for their tactical command and tempo, while locally she draws inspiration from Springbok Women scrumhalf Felicia Jacobs.
The Human Side of the Story
Levy also credits both her late grandfathers Dicky Sieed and Tahir Levy [who received a special lifetime service award from the City of Cape Town for social work in the community] playing massive roles in shaping her core values and principles not only in rugby, but in life.
“Dada (Dicky Sieed) was so passionate about rugby. Any chance he would get he would give me advice. He was always so supportive and helpful.”
“Papa (Tahir Levy) selflessly dedicated his entire life to serve his community as an activist and social worker. I am blessed to have had grandparents of their calibre of human beings,” she says proudly.
That grounding may explain why Levy carries herself with calm authority despite entering one of the most demanding environments in women’s rugby.
Balancing medicine and rugby, however, came with relentless sacrifices. Initially early lectures blurred into late training sessions. Recovery often meant studying anatomy textbooks instead of resting aching muscles. Now she often works 30-hour shifts and come straight into training.
“Studying medicine while playing rugby was tough to manage,” Levy admitted.
“It’s something I always wanted to do after matric. Now that I am qualified and working, I am looking forward to not only serving the ball from the base of a scrum but also being of service to my community as a doctor.”
That line captures the essence of Levy’s journey. Service.
Service to teammates. Service to community. Service to a dream larger than herself.
Why De Bruin believes she belongs
De Bruin believes Levy’s selection is based firmly on merit and brings far more than novelty value to the national setup.
“Insaaf earned this opportunity through consistency, game understanding and work ethic,” De Bruin said.
“She reads space very well; she has a calm temperament under pressure and her decision-making around the breakdown impressed us throughout the season.”
The Bok Women coach also believes her medical background strengthens the environment around the squad.
“To have a qualified doctor within the group is incredibly unique,” De Bruin added.
“She understands professionalism, discipline and care for people. Those qualities matter in high-performance sport. Players naturally gravitate towards people who remain composed during difficult moments, and Insaaf has that personality.”
He also highlighted her ability to connect quickly with teammates.
“She communicates clearly, she is analytical and she absorbs information fast. Those are excellent traits for a scrumhalf because that position is like the heartbeat of the team She is truly an inspiration and a role model for young players.”
More than a rugby story
South Africa’s squad heading to Kenya blends experience with emerging talent. Captain Anathi Qolo leads a youthful touring group seeking to defend the title won in Madagascar last year.
The #BokWomen squad for the @RugbyAfrique Cup in Kenya has been named – more here: https://t.co/98Hk0fewMX 🫡#BackHer pic.twitter.com/u2PvAoTAhm
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) May 18, 2026
De Bruin sees the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup as fertile ground for building depth ahead of a demanding international calendar that includes Tests against the USA and the formidable New Zealand women’s national rugby union team later this year.
“We are repeating the exercise that worked well for us last season,” De Bruin explained.
“We see this tournament as a perfect opportunity to blood new players and give some capped players proper game time.”
Among those fresh faces, Levy’s story stands tallest.
Not because she is a doctor.
Not because she comes from one of Cape Town’s proud rugby bloodlines.
Not even because she is making history.
Her story matters because it broadens the horizon for young girls who dream beyond traditional boundaries. Levy represents the growing evolution of women’s rugby in South Africa, where athletes are increasingly becoming scholars, leaders and professionals alongside elite competitors.
Like a scrumhalf spotting a gap where others see traffic, Levy has carved a lane uniquely her own.
From the shadow of Table Mountain to the international stage in Nairobi, the young woman from Dorp Street is preparing for the biggest pass of her life.
And South African rugby will be watching closely as Dr Insaaf Levy takes the field in green and gold.
Springbok Women fixtures:
- 23 May: South Africa vs Madagascar
- 27 May: South Africa vs Uganda
- 31 May: South Africa vs Kenya
All matches will be played at the RFUEA Sports Grounds in Nairobi.
The match against Madagscar on Saturday starts at 13h00 SA time on Saturday and will be broadcast live on Rugbypass.
