Who Is Rene Naylor? A Look at the Springboks’ Celebrity Physiotherapist

• Rene Naylor is the pitchside beauty carrying the water bottles and medical equipment
• The Capetonian has been a vital part of the Springbok setup as a physio since 2008
• She already has one Rugby World Cup title to her name and will be aiming for second in Paris

When the action pauses briefly on the pitch, the eyes may wander to the touchline.

Many will be familiar with the sight of an energetic medic prowling and often screaming from the edges of the field of play.

South Africa's secret weapon on the fringes is a physiotherapist and alleged instructions relayer, Rene Naylor.

Born on the Cape Flats, Naylor still calls Cape Town home, and runs her physiotherapy practice from Mitchells Plain.

If support staff received caps, Naylor would be among the all-time greats having worn her Springbok kit almost 150 times.

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Football

While her primary job is to keep the men in fighting condition, there have been rumours of her acting as an unofficial carrier of messages.

Prior to the semi-final, the English media accused Naylor of employing 'dark arts'. Relaying the words of Warren Gatland to Steve Borthwick, the Daily Mail stated:

"She was seen 'screaming and yelling' instructions at her players while stood metres away on their try line."

Driven to smash stereotypes as well as be a role model, Naylor is an ambassador of strong feminity. In an interview with CapeTalk Radio, she said:

"I took the position very seriously because I felt that I did have that responsibility to show and prove that we can do it, and that we will be good at it. And I didn't expect special privileges as a woman. I wanted to be respected as a professional."

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Rugby

Naylor is a well-rounded talent, and apart from her work with the three-time World Champions, has the accolades to prove it.

In 2018 she was given the South African Sports Medicine Association's Honorary Award for outstanding contribution in Sports Medicine and in 2020 received the Ministerial Recognition Award for outstanding women in their field at the Momentum Gsport Awards.

Naylor will be front and centre for the greatest spectacle in world rugby, as the Springboks and the All Blacks collide to become the first nation to win four Rugby World Cups.

The plotter-in-Chief

Sports Brief recently compiled a list of Springbok Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus's greatest moments.

He earned a reputation for thinking outside the box and using any means necessary to earn victory.

Erasmus is known for dance moves and all Springboks fans will be hoping for celebrations in Paris.