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The moment the final whistle blew, a wave of relief swept through. With a massive turnout watching, she hugged her England teammate Lucy Packer and then understood that the her side had claimed the Rugby World Cup. The clash with Canada had been so “demanding,” Kabeya found it tough to comprehend they were international winners until she heard that sound. “It was unbelievable,” Kabeya says. “The full-time whistle was a lot of ease, a moment to exhale and then: ‘Wow, we’ve done it.’”

England’s success capped a lengthy winning streak, a 33 consecutive victories, but the off-field impact is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. Specifically, stepping off the squad vehicle to be met with throngs of fans and the roar from the 81,885-strong Twickenham crowd after the anthems.

“I can’t even explain it,” the young forward says. “The team procession was spectacular, a unique moment. Just to see the amount of support, the diversity in it – parents and children, people who are less mature, more senior, numerous guys in the stands – it was immense. I definitely have to watch videos back to experience it again because I believe I didn’t fully absorb it because I was a bit in amazement.

“You glance around and you observe the entire crowd. I think of the pointing fingers and being like: ‘Check it out.’ It was crazy. I got my phone out immediately, I was like: ‘I need to film this.’”

If Kabeya was provided lasting recollections then she also made some for the fans, with a award-winning match effort leading the Red Roses to a decisive triumph. Crowds chanted her now-familiar chant at the Battersea Power Station celebrations the day after, when the “celebratory tune” was initiated by her England teammate Hannah Botterman. These are all events she never imagined could be a actuality a decade ago.

Kabeya first started playing rugby about 15 miles south-east of Twickenham, at the her school in Croydon, south London. Initially playing alongside the boys, she was motivated by an instructor and retired athlete Bryony Cleall to follow her passion. When she became part of a new squad, away from south London, she felt she had to change parts of herself to fit in.

“It was in another part of town, which is a largely homogeneous neighborhood,” Kabeya says. “I was young and I hoped to be accepted so I adjusted my habits what music I was listening to, my way of talking. I don’t speak how I used to speak when I was in secondary school but I was a typical resident when I moved to the area and I kind of wanted to change that and suppress myself.

“It’s only as I have advanced in my career and found those with shared experiences and have encouraged my authentic personality that I am discovering my true self. I am true to who I am.”

Alongside inspiring the next generation, Kabeya has designed gear which will remove more barriers blocking some from taking up the sport. Working with her sponsor, she has produced a unique rugby cap to shield different styles from friction, chafing and drying.

“It’s been a development because we had to find the right material with how it can work and be breathable still as it has to be something you can wear in rugby, where you’re sweating and getting through a lot of work but also protecting your hair.

“A protective cap is something that has been around for a long, long time, it’s not a revolutionary idea. But to incorporate this element, it is such a minor adjustment but it can have significant impact. In my younger days I used to use makeshift protection because I wanted to keep my hair neat but I enjoyed the game so it wasn't an issue.

I was a proper south London girl when I joined the club and I wanted to change that and conceal my true identity

“However, for other players that would be it. It would be: ‘I’m avoiding participation because I prefer to avoid damage, I want to prevent damage.’ To have equipment that encourages participation or welcome additional athletes is huge.”

The completion of the competition has been successful for the athlete. Her next appearance in an England jersey will be in the European championship in next season, while in the meantime her priorities include the upcoming Premiership Women’s Rugby season for her side, Loughborough Lightning. In the time before the championship, she found it quite challenging, dealing with setbacks and a “mental dip” during the previous competition: “I entered believing: ‘Oh I’ll be okay, I’ll be able to ride it out.’

“I think the harder her personal life was, the worse it got on pitch. I was willing to take time and put in the effort and speak to the right people to prepare psychologically for a global competition. I think, particularly in athletics, you wait until you hit rock bottom to attempt to make changes. Whereas now, accessing support systems and professionals I can rely on as opposed to reacting to issues is significant.”