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As the match ended, a wave of relief swept through. With a massive turnout watching, she hugged her England teammate Lucy Packer and finally grasped that the her side had claimed the Rugby World Cup. The championship match versus Canada had been so “demanding,” Kabeya found it difficult to accept they were global titleholders until she heard that sound. “It was incredible,” Kabeya says. “The end-of-game signal was a lot of relief, a moment to exhale and then: ‘Wow, we’ve done it.’”

England’s triumph topped off a lengthy winning streak, a 33-game winning run, but the wider effect is what Kabeya cherishes deeply. In particular, stepping off the squad vehicle to be welcomed by massive crowds and the cheers from over 81,000 spectators after the anthems.

“I struggle to put it into words,” the England star says. “The walk-in was amazing, a rare opportunity. Just to observe the enormous encouragement, the variety present – families, people who are more youthful, more senior, numerous guys in the stands – it was huge. I absolutely must see recordings to experience it again because I feel I missed some of it because I was a bit in awe.

“You gaze upward and you observe the entire crowd. I remember everyone pointing up and being like: ‘Check it out.’ It was insane. I instantly reached for my device, I was like: ‘I need to film this.’”

If Kabeya was granted unforgettable moments then she also created memories for supporters, with a starring display in the final steering England to their 33-13 victory. Crowds chanted her popular refrain at the Battersea Power Station celebrations the following day, 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 took up the sport about a short distance from the stadium, at the Harris city academy in her hometown. Starting out with male peers, she was motivated by an instructor and ex-international player Bryony Cleall to follow her passion. When she joined her first club, outside her home area, she felt she had to alter her behavior to be accepted.

“It was in another part of town, which is a largely homogeneous neighborhood,” Kabeya says. “I was inexperienced and I hoped to be accepted so I adjusted my habits my musical tastes, my speech patterns. I no longer talk like I did when I was in my teens but I was a typical resident when I moved to the area and I attempted to suppress that and suppress myself.

“It’s only as I have progressed in rugby and met other people who look like me and have helped me rediscover myself 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 reduce hurdles deterring involvement. Working with her sponsor, she has created a satin scrum cap to shield different styles from friction, irritation and drying.

“It’s been a journey because we had to find the right material with how it can perform without causing discomfort as it has to be something you can wear in rugby, where you’re sweating and getting through a lot of work but also maintaining hair health.

“A scrum cap is something that has been in use for ages, it’s not a novel invention. But to incorporate this element, it is such a minor adjustment but it can create substantial change. 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 was passionate about rugby so it wasn't an issue.

I was a proper south London girl when I moved to the area and I attempted to suppress that and suppress myself

“However, for some girls that would be it. It would be: ‘I’m staying away because I prefer to avoid damage, I want to prevent damage.’ To have something that could keep people in the game or welcome additional athletes is important.”

The completion of the competition has been golden for Kabeya. Her next appearance in an England jersey will be in the European championship in next season, while in the interim her attention turns to the upcoming Premiership Women’s Rugby season for her side, Loughborough Lightning. In the time before the championship, she found it quite challenging, experiencing injuries and a “emotional struggle” during the recent tournament: “I came in thinking: ‘Oh I’ll be fine, I’ll be able to handle it.’

“I think the harder her personal life was, the worse it got on pitch. I was willing to take time and address the issues and speak to the right people to prepare psychologically for a global competition. I think, particularly in athletics, you frequently postpone action to try and do something about it. However currently, utilizing available help and professionals I can rely on rather than facing problems later is huge.”