Watch VideoUnbreakable: Shannon-Lee Windvogel turns setbacks into Springbok Sevens dream

Shannon-Lee Windvogel gets the chance to show off her skills on the big stage when she runs out for the Springbok Women’s Sevens for the first time in Nairobi, Kenya, this weekend. From the dusty fields of Rosemoor to the international stage in Nairobi,Shannon-Lee Windvogelis a name every South African rugby fan is about to hear a lot more of. At 21, the dynamic speedster has officially traded her “rising star” tag for a place in the Springbok Women’s Sevens squad – fulfilling a dream previously delayed by injury.

As she prepares to make her international debut this weekend at theHSBC SVNS 2 in Kenya,here is the journey of the woman who refused to let injury, or anything else, stop her. Windvogel’s story began in the heart of George, specifically in Rosemoor and Thembalethu. She attended Rosemoor Primary and George High School, where her athletic journey started far away from the rugby pitch.

Initially, she was a standout in athletics and netball, but a chance encounter with her primary school rugby coach, Anthony Philip, changed her life. She eventually came to view Philip as a father figure, crediting him with guiding her towards the sport she now loves. The talent was always there.

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At just 13 years old in 2017, Shannon-Lee was spotted during a youth tournament. She was quickly recruited for the SWD EaGirls under-16 team, marking the start of a long and successful stint with her “rugby family”. Even while playing for the SWD EaGirls, she stayed loyal to her roots, continuing to play for George High and the local George Lilly’s on weekends.

The road to green and gold was anything but smooth. In 2022, she earned selection for the SA Under-21 15s side but never got the opportunity to take the field. A year later, captaining the SWD EaGirls and selected for the SA Under-20 team, she was ruled out again – this time due to concussion.

Springbok Women’s Sevens coach Cecil Afrika recently noted that she is finally “fully fit again after a long struggle with injury”, underlining her resilience and discipline. Her breakthrough moment arrived in November at the Dubai International Invitational, where she featured for the SA Sevens ‘A’ side alongside Bok Women’s World Cup star Byrhandré Dolf. Windvogel displayed the raw pace, footwork and attacking spark that convinced Afrika she was ready for the next step.

A dazzling 60m try against Sweden lit up the tournament. Although she was yellow-carded in the defeat to Brazil, she responded by scoring another try – a performance that confirmed she could handle the demands of the international circuit. While she spent much of her career as a lethal winger, scoring 11 tries for the SWD EaGirls, in their last First Division win, the 1.67m flyer has also transitioned into a sweeper role. This versatility, combined with what Afrika calls “exciting footwork”, makes her a dangerous asset for the Springbok Women’s Sevens as they push for World Series qualification.

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