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As the match ended, Sadia Kabeya felt immense relief. Before a historic audience, she celebrated with fellow player Lucy Packer and only then realised that the her side had claimed the Rugby World Cup. The clash with Canada had been so “exhausting,” Kabeya found it tough to comprehend they were global titleholders until she the whistle blew. “It was amazing,” Kabeya says. “The full-time whistle was a lot of comfort, a opportunity to relax and then: ‘Wow, we’ve accomplished it.’”

England’s success capped a dominant three years, a unbeaten streak of 33 matches, but the wider effect is what Kabeya recalls fondly. Notably, exiting the team coach to be welcomed by massive crowds and the cheers from over 81,000 spectators after the anthems.

“I can’t even explain it,” the England star says. “The team procession was spectacular, a rare opportunity. Just to witness the incredible backing, the variety present – families, people who are less mature, older, many male attendees – it was immense. I certainly need to review footage to see it because I feel I missed some of it because I was a bit in amazement.

“You gaze upward and you notice all the spectators. I remember everyone pointing up and being like: ‘Look, look.’ It was unreal. I instantly reached for my device, I was like: ‘I need to film this.’”

If Kabeya was left with lifelong memories then she also gave spectators something to remember, with a starring display in the final steering England to their 33-13 victory. Crowds chanted her popular refrain at the title-winning party the day after, when the “celebratory tune” was sung by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all events she never imagined could be a reality a decade ago.

Kabeya first took up the sport about a short distance from the stadium, at the her school in her hometown. Initially playing alongside the boys, she was motivated by an instructor and former England prop Bryony Cleall to pursue the sport. When she started at her initial team, away from south London, she felt she had to adjust her identity to be accepted.

“It was in Richmond, which is a mostly white community,” Kabeya says. “I was young and I aimed to blend in so I adjusted my habits what music I was listening to, my speech patterns. I don’t speak how I used to speak when I was in secondary school but I was a true local when I came to Richmond and I felt the need to adjust and suppress myself.

“It’s only as I have progressed in rugby and met other people who look like me and have helped me rediscover myself that I am discovering my true self. I am authentic today.”

While encouraging future athletes, Kabeya has designed gear 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 friction, irritation and damage.

“It’s been a development because we had to source suitable fabric with how it can work and be breathable still as it has to be suitable for athletic use, where you’re perspiring and getting through a lot of work but also maintaining hair health.

“A rugby headgear is something that has been in use for ages, it’s not a novel invention. But to include this feature, it is such a minor adjustment but it can make such a big difference. In high school I used to play with a plastic bag on my head because I aimed to maintain my hairstyle but I loved the sport so it didn't deter me.

I was a proper south London girl when I moved to the area and I felt the need to adjust and suppress myself

“However, for some girls that would be enough. 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 something that could keep people in the game or have people join the game is huge.”

The conclusion of the tournament has been successful for the athlete. Her upcoming international matches will be in the Six Nations in April, while in the interim her priorities include the next club competition for her team, Loughborough Lightning. In the period leading up to the tournament, she found it far from easy, experiencing injuries and a “mental dip” during the previous competition: “I came in thinking: ‘Oh I’ll be okay, I’ll be able to get through it.’

“I think the harder her personal life was, the more it affected her performance. I was willing to take time and do the work and consult professionals to prepare psychologically for a global competition. I think, especially in sport, you wait until you hit rock bottom to try and do something about it. However currently, having the resources and people who I can use consistently instead of waiting to hit a bump in the road is important.”