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As the match ended, relief washed over. In front of a record crowd, she hugged her England teammate Lucy Packer and then understood that the Red Roses had won the Rugby World Cup. The championship match versus Canada had been so “exhausting,” Kabeya found it hard to believe they were world champions until she the final signal came. “It was unbelievable,” Kabeya says. “The full-time whistle was a lot of ease, a moment to exhale and then: ‘Wow, we’ve done it.’”

England’s triumph capped a dominant three years, a unbeaten streak of 33 matches, but the broader influence is what Kabeya recalls fondly. Notably, stepping off the squad vehicle to be greeted by thousands of supporters and the roar from the 81,885-strong Twickenham crowd after the anthems.

“I find it hard to describe,” the England star says. “The walk-in was amazing, a once in a lifetime experience. Just to witness the incredible backing, the variety present – families, people who are more youthful, elderly, numerous guys in the stands – it was massive. I certainly need to review footage to experience it again because I feel I missed some of it because I was a bit in amazement.

“You look up and you see everyone in the stands. I recall people gesturing and being like: ‘See that.’ It was crazy. I quickly pulled out my phone, I was like: ‘I must capture this.’”

If Kabeya was left with lifelong memories then she also made some for the fans, with a award-winning match effort leading the Red Roses to a decisive triumph. Thousands sang her popular refrain at the title-winning party the next day, when the “Do, do, do Sadia Kabeya” was sung by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all moments she did not comprehend could be a actuality a ten years back.

Kabeya first picked up a rugby ball about 15 miles south-east of Twickenham, at the a local institution in her hometown. First participating with boys, she was supported by her coach and retired athlete Bryony Cleall to continue with rugby. When she started at her initial team, away from south London, she felt she had to alter her behavior to fit in.

“It was in a different area, which is a predominantly white area,” Kabeya says. “I was young and I aimed to blend in so culturally I changed my musical tastes, my speech patterns. I don’t speak how I used to speak when I was in high school but I was a true local when I moved to the area and I kind of wanted to change that and suppress myself.

“It’s only as I have advanced in my career and found those with shared experiences and have brought me out of my shell again that I am discovering my true self. I am authentic today.”

Alongside inspiring the next generation, Kabeya has created an item which will eliminate obstacles preventing participation. Teaming up with a brand, she has produced a unique rugby cap to protect a range of hair types from abrasion, irritation and dehydration.

“It’s been a process because we had to find the right material with how it can function while allowing airflow as it has to be something you can wear in rugby, where you’re losing fluids and undergoing intense activity but also protecting your hair.

“A rugby headgear is something that has been around for a long, long time, it’s not a revolutionary idea. But to incorporate this element, it is such a minor adjustment but it can make such a big difference. In high school I used to use makeshift protection because I didn’t want to get my hair messy but I enjoyed the game so it wasn't an issue.

I was a true local when I moved to the area and I wanted to change that and suppress myself

“However, for certain individuals that would be it. It would be: ‘I’m avoiding participation because I don’t want to do that to my hair, I aim to maintain health.’ To have equipment that encourages participation or welcome additional athletes is huge.”

The conclusion of the tournament has been triumphant for the player. Her next appearance in an England jersey will be in the international tournament in next season, while in the period before her attention turns to the upcoming Premiership Women’s Rugby season for her side, Loughborough Lightning. In the three years between the last two World Cups, she found it far from easy, facing physical issues and a “mental dip” during the 2025 Six Nations: “I entered believing: ‘Oh I’ll be alright, I’ll be able to ride it out.’

“I think the more difficult things became outside rugby, the worse it got on pitch. I was capable of stepping back and put in the effort and speak to the right people to achieve optimal mental state for a World Cup. I think, notably in competitive environments, you often delay until crisis point to attempt to make changes. However currently, having the resources and people who I can use consistently rather than facing problems later is huge.”