Older rugby fans will know who Japie Mulder is; he was, after all, a player of the first Springbok team that won the World Cup at Ellis Park in 1995.

Thirty years later, another Mulder played for the Boks. Jané Mulder proved that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when she played for the Springbok Women's U20 team as a winger last year.

If you listen to Jané, a first-year BA Psychology student at Tuks, the Mulders have always been passionate about rugby. They have regular discussions about the game. Not everyone always agrees with the opinions that are aired. Jané has her own definite ideas about rugby.

When she was younger, she regularly played "rugby tests" with her brothers and their friends in the backyard. She often found gaps in the opposition's defence with the ball in hand.

She played netball and athletics at school but always longed to play rugby. Unfortunately, at that time, girls had no opportunities to sidestep and dummy with the ball in hand.

"When I was in Grade 9, a few of us tried to start a women's sevens rugby team in Alberton. There was little interest.

In Grade 11, Jané decided one afternoon to move from Helpmekaar College to the Wits sports grounds. The decision changed everything.

"I didn't really plan to play rugby seriously. I just wanted to play rugby to enjoy myself. But before long, I found myself playing with complete dedication. At first, I didn't tell my parents that I was playing rugby. When I told them, they were initially quite shocked. But now my mother, Ronel, is one of my biggest supporters.

"My dad keeps encouraging me to do my own thing on the field. If there's one thing he hates, it's players who are like robots on the field. According to my dad, a good player should be able to adapt to what's happening on the field at any time."

Last year, Jané played wing for the Lions and Springboks' U-20 team. When asked what her best qualities as a player were, she replied that she was pretty fast and that her tactical kicking was not bad.

In previous conversations with women's rugby players, many admitted they didn't mind being tackled, but it took a mental shift to make that first big tackle. Jané acknowledged that it was the same for her.

"Initially, my tackling technique left a lot to be desired. As a result, I started to doubt my own abilities. This changed as I played more. The bad thing was that I broke my collarbone in my first game when I tackled."

Shortly after that, she broke her collarbone again. But there was no question of her hanging up her rugby boots. It makes one wonder if she loves pain.

"Not at all," is her immediate answer. "For me, it's about the love of the game. You don't just give up on something you're passionate about."

For now, Jané plans to play only sevens rugby at Tuks. It wouldn't, however, be a surprise if she plays for Tuks in the FNB Varsity Cup Women's competition.