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When the game concluded, relief washed over. With a massive turnout watching, she embraced her Red Roses colleague Lucy Packer and finally grasped that the England team had secured the Rugby World Cup. The championship match versus Canada had been so “exhausting,” Kabeya found it hard to believe they were global titleholders until she the final signal came. “It was unbelievable,” Kabeya says. “The final whistle was a lot of relief, a opportunity to relax and then: ‘Wow, we’ve done it.’”

England’s victory concluded a three-year reign, a unbeaten streak of 33 matches, but the wider effect is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. Notably, exiting the team coach to be welcomed by massive crowds and the roar from the 81,885-strong Twickenham crowd after the anthems.

“I find it hard to describe,” the 23-year-old flanker says. “The stadium entrance was unforgettable, a unique moment. Just to witness the incredible backing, the mix of people – households, people who are more youthful, more senior, loads of men coming to the game – it was massive. I absolutely must see recordings to see it because I don’t think I captured it enough because I was a bit in amazement.

“You gaze upward and you see everyone in the stands. I recall people gesturing and being like: ‘Look, look.’ It was crazy. I got my phone out immediately, I was like: ‘I must capture this.’”

If Kabeya was provided lasting recollections then she also gave spectators something to remember, with a player-of-the-final performance steering England to their 33-13 victory. Thousands sang her now-familiar chant at the post-victory event the following day, when the “Do, do, do Sadia Kabeya” was sung by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all occasions she couldn't foresee could be a reality a ten years back.

Kabeya first started playing rugby about in a nearby London area, at the her school in her hometown. First participating with boys, she was motivated by an instructor and former England prop Bryony Cleall to follow her passion. When she started at her initial team, in a different locale, she felt she had to adjust her identity to belong.

“It was in a different area, which is a largely homogeneous neighborhood,” Kabeya says. “I was inexperienced and I wanted to fit into the team so I adjusted my habits the songs I enjoyed, my way of talking. I no longer talk like I did when I was in high school but I was a typical resident when I joined the club and I felt the need to adjust and suppress myself.

“It’s only as I have gone along in the sport and met other people who look like me and have brought me out of my shell again that I am discovering my true self. I am myself now.”

While encouraging future athletes, Kabeya has created an item which will eliminate obstacles preventing participation. Teaming up with a brand, she has created a satin scrum cap to safeguard various textures from abrasion, chafing and drying.

“It’s been a process because we had to find the right material with how it can perform without causing discomfort as it has to be appropriate for the sport, where you’re perspiring and facing physical demands but also maintaining hair health.

“A scrum cap is something that has been in use for ages, it’s not a novel invention. But to incorporate this element, it is such a tiny detail but it can have significant impact. In secondary school I used to use makeshift protection because I didn’t want to get my hair messy but I loved the sport so it didn't deter me.

I was a proper south London girl when I came to Richmond and I felt the need to adjust 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 significant.”

The ending of this World Cup cycle has been golden for Kabeya. Her next appearance in an England jersey will be in the European championship in the spring, while in the interim her priorities include the upcoming Premiership Women’s Rugby season for her club, Loughborough Lightning. In the three years between the last two World Cups, she found it quite challenging, facing physical issues and a “emotional struggle” during the 2025 Six Nations: “I started assuming: ‘Oh I’ll be alright, I’ll be able to get through it.’

“I think the more difficult things became outside rugby, the worse it got on pitch. I was able to go away and do the work and consult professionals to prepare psychologically for a major tournament. I think, particularly in athletics, you often delay until crisis point to attempt to make changes. However currently, utilizing available help and experts I can consult regularly rather than facing problems later is significant.”