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As the game concluded, a wave of relief swept through. Before a historic audience, she celebrated with fellow player Lucy Packer and finally grasped that the her side had claimed the Rugby World Cup. The final against Canada had been so “gruelling,” Kabeya found it tough to comprehend they were world champions until she the final signal came. “It was amazing,” Kabeya says. “The final whistle was a lot of comfort, a moment to exhale and then: ‘Wow, we’ve accomplished it.’”

England’s triumph capped a dominant three years, a 33 consecutive victories, but the off-field impact is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. Notably, exiting the team coach to be greeted by thousands of supporters and the cheers from over 81,000 spectators after the anthems.

“I find it hard to describe,” the England star says. “The walk-in was amazing, a unique moment. Just to observe the enormous encouragement, the mix of people – families, people who are more youthful, elderly, numerous guys in the stands – it was immense. I definitely have to watch videos back to see it because I don’t think I captured it enough because I was a bit in shock.

“You gaze upward and you notice all the spectators. I think of the pointing fingers and being like: ‘Look, look.’ It was crazy. I quickly pulled out my phone, I was like: ‘I must capture this.’”

If Kabeya was granted unforgettable moments then she also created memories for supporters, with a player-of-the-final performance guiding her team to a 33-13 win. Thousands sang her popular refrain at the title-winning party the day after, when the “Sadia Kabeya chant” chorus was led by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all moments she did not comprehend could be a actuality a decade ago.

Kabeya first started playing rugby about in a nearby London area, at the her school in Croydon, south London. Starting out with male peers, she was supported by her coach and retired athlete Bryony Cleall to pursue the sport. When she joined her first club, away from south London, she felt she had to alter her behavior to fit in.

“It was in a different area, which is a predominantly white area,” Kabeya says. “I was young and I wanted to fit into the team so I adjusted my habits my musical tastes, my speech patterns. I don’t speak how I used to speak when I was in high school but I was a true local when I moved to the area and I attempted to suppress that and conceal my true identity.

“It’s only as I have advanced in my career and found those with shared experiences and have helped me rediscover myself that I am embracing my identity. I am myself now.”

In addition to motivating young players, Kabeya has designed gear which will eliminate obstacles deterring involvement. Teaming up with a brand, she has developed a specialized headgear to shield different styles from rubbing, irritation and drying.

“It’s been a process because we had to find the right material with how it can function while allowing airflow as it has to be suitable for athletic use, where you’re perspiring and facing physical demands but also protecting your hair.

“A scrum cap is something that has been in use for ages, it’s not a novel invention. But to include this feature, it is such a minor adjustment but it can have significant impact. In secondary school I used to play with a plastic bag on my head because I didn’t want to get my hair messy but I enjoyed the game so it didn't deter me.

I was a proper south London girl when I joined the club and I felt the need to adjust and conceal my true identity

“However, for other players that would be it. It would be: ‘I’m not playing because I prefer to avoid damage, I aim to maintain health.’ To have gear that supports involvement or welcome additional athletes is huge.”

The ending of this World Cup cycle has been successful for the athlete. Her next appearance in an England jersey will be in the international tournament in next season, while in the period before her focus will be on the forthcoming domestic league for her team, Loughborough Lightning. In the three years between the last two World Cups, she found it rather difficult, experiencing injuries and a “psychological challenge” during the recent tournament: “I started assuming: ‘Oh I’ll be fine, I’ll be able to handle it.’

“I think the harder her personal life was, the poorer she played. I was able to go away and address the issues and speak to the right people to achieve optimal mental state for a global competition. I think, particularly in athletics, you frequently postpone action to attempt to make changes. Whereas now, having the resources and people who I can use consistently rather than facing problems later is huge.”