When Lerato Mahole was still young, her mom would often say to her, "Bophelo ke ntwa".

In the Tswana language, it means life is a fight and struggle. It inspired Mohale to always work that little bit harder no matter what she does. That is why she might make her Olympic debut on Saturday in Tokyo when the South Africa women's national field hockey team take on Ireland.

If she gets to play, Mahole sees it sort of as "fools rushing where angels fear to tread'. The 21-year-old, Civil Engineering student at Tuks has never played for the senior national team. 

"It might be a blessing in disguise. As I don't know what to expect. I am just going to play as I usually would. I like being aggressive. Taking the game to the opponents hoping it will force them to make mistakes," says Mahole, who plays on the defensive. 

When she was young, it was football that got Mahole's adrenaline pumping. She never missed out on any opportunity to kick the ball around. In her estimate, she was pretty good. 

"I mostly played with the boys. On any good day, I could out 'dribble' the best. Unfortunately, growing up in Klerksdorp, there was no opportunity for girls to play seriously. Someone suggested that I take up hockey as it is basically the same as playing football with a 'stick'. I immediately loved it, especially since I got the opportunity to play competitively."

It did not take long before Mahole's dribbling skills, and fancy footwork got noticed. As a result, she ended up being selected for the South Africa under-18 and under-21 national teams.

"A question I get asked ever so often is if I still play football. When I say, no people tend to be astonished. But I still watch a lot of football. I am a big fan of Lionel Messi. It is genuinely inspiring to watch him play," the Tuks based player said.

Messi is on record saying, "I never think about the play or visualize anything. I do what comes to me at that moment. Instinct. It has always been that way."

It is something Mahole strives to do every time she takes to the Astroturf.

The Tuks hockey player has no hesitation in saying her mom, Mpho is her role model.

"My mom is truly inspirational. She is highly independent. She stands up literally to anyone and for everything she believes in. From when I can remember, she has been telling me never to buckle down in what is traditionally a men's world. Her advice is always 'fight for what you want in life'."