The challenge to be faster or chasing after a ball in the pool gets Voke's adrenaline pumping

19-year-old Tori Voke loves water, and not just in a glass; water is what helps her to keep fit and clear her head.

Most mornings and afternoons, you will find her in the Tuks swimming pool, swimming length after length. But that is not where her love for water stops. She is also an excellent water polo player. In August, she will represent South Africa's U20 team at the World Championship in Brazil. She is also a reserve for the South African A team.

According to the first-year Tuks LLB student, swimming is her real passion. The 50-meter freestyle is her specialist event. The one in which she hopes to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

"The reality is that swimming is a very individual sport. It requires a lot of discipline. That is why I love playing water polo. It's an outlet to have fun and share enjoyment with my teammates. There is a definite advantage to actively training to be faster as a swimmer and playing water polo."

Voke's love for water polo was sparked when she started throwing the ball around in their swimming pool with her older brother and a friend. Soon after, she began playing seriously. The physical contact that comes with playing water polo is what attracted her to the game.

"I think the women's game is more physical than the men's game. Purely because women tend to get angry. When they do, things tend to get 'dirty' in the water."

When asked whether she resorts to "dirty play", Voke said, "Most of the time in the pool, you will be 'fighting' for the ball. Playing water polo is not about being 'dirty'. It is about playing in such a way that your opponent does not want to mark you. If that makes sense. If I realise that I have injured an opponent, I would apologise straight away. The amazing thing about water polo is that afterwards, when you get out of the pool, everyone is mates again, and we will laugh about what happened during the game."

What is the worst that has happened to you in the pool?

"I have been scratched, bitten and bruised. I have even sprained some fingers. It usually happens when you mark an opponent, and your fingers get stuck in the swimming costume. You can even break a finger that way. Up to now, I have been lucky."

According to Voke, she is considered to be a utility player, although she usually plays on the left. One of her best attributes as a player is her ability to read the game and exceed expectations.

The Tuks civil engineering student Caitlin McMurray has also been selected for the South African under-20 team. Emily van Heerden is a reserve.