Over the last five weekends, the TuksFootball Women’s team has made club history, registering two biggest victories of seven-nil and securing their fifth successive victory.

In their last five encounters, they scored 21 goals and conceded only two. They twice notched up seven goals during a game. This is quite a contrast to how they started their campaign. They were only victorious on four occasions in their first 11 games, scoring 13 goals and conceding 17. The team is currently sixth in the league standings.

The team's heroics did not go unnoticed. Wendy Shongwe, Thalea Smidt, and Asa Rabalao are part of the preliminary preparation squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Isabella Ludwig (Tuks midfielder) ascribed their turnabout to the fact that the team has settled down.

"We now know each other's strengths and weaknesses, so we play much more cohesively. We were the 'new kids on the block' when we started, not knowing what to expect. It took some time to adapt to playing at a higher level and all the challenges of travelling from game to game."

Ludwig made her debut for Tuks this season. Her football CV makes for quite interesting reading. She represented the South African under-17 and under-20 women's teams. She also did a stint in Europe, playing for Denmark's Fortuna Hjorring and Germany's Leipzig teams.

"It was challenging. The playing style of Europe is quite different from how we play in South Africa. The European teams are more structured in the way they play. There is also a lot of emphasis on passing. It meant I could not play with the same freedom I was used to. But I have learned a lot.

"I hope to get another opportunity to play in Europe. I came back to South Africa mainly to finish my matriculation. I tried to do it online, but I found it difficult to play and study in Europe."

Playing as a midfielder, it should be no surprise that Ludwig considers Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara a role model.

"Thiago Alcantara is known for his accurate passes and technical skills. Many consider him one of the best midfielders of his generation. I would be happy if I could be half as good."

As to what she brings to the team, Ludwig said she tries to be composed because a midfielder is often the "backbone" of the team. She also values her skills as a communicator during games.

"Football is, to me, all about teamwork. It can never be about any one individual. The challenge for every player must always be to be better tomorrow than you are today because everyone does, so it is guaranteed the team will step to the next level. It is what we try to do at Tuks."