Dr Dhavina Naidoo, recently appointed Springbok Women’s team doctor , reflects on a journey rooted in Durban and driven by a passion for sport and medicine.
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Dr Dhavina Naidoo has been appointed as the team Physician for the Springbok Women’s outfit, a milestone that brings her journey from the local sports fields of Durban to the national stage full circle.
“Personally, this appointment means a great deal to me,” Naidoo said.
“It’s a privilege to work with the Springbok Women’s team, a group of incredibly dedicated athletes who not only work hard on the field but are also exceptional individuals off it.”
“Professionally, it’s an exciting opportunity to contribute to a high‑performance environment, support the team’s growth, and play a role in building on their progress as they continue to elevate their performance.”
Originally from Chatsworth, Naidoo spent her early childhood immersed in a family culture where sport was a way of life. Later moving to Glenashley during her primary school years, she recalls weekends spent on the sidelines supporting her parents, both active in sport, and eventually finding her own path in hockey, where she represented her province.
“I grew up around sport, so it’s always been a big part of my life,” she said. “At the same time, I always knew I wanted to go into medicine because I wanted to help people. Being able to combine those two passions felt like a natural fit.”
Today, at 34, Naidoo is doing exactly that, merging medicine and sport at the highest level. She holds an MBChB from Walter Sisulu University, an MSc in Sports Medicine from the University of Pretoria, and a Diploma in Mental Health from the CMSA. She has published journal articles in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, and is a Level 3 trained Advanced Care in Rugby practitioner.
Her experience on the global stage is equally impressive. Since the beginning of 2023, Naidoo has been a team physician at three World Cups. She served as team doctor for the U19 Women’s Proteas at the inaugural U19 T20 World Cup, for Ireland at the T20 Women’s World Cup, and she is currently the Head Injury Assessment Doctor at the World Rugby U20s Championship. She is also the team physician for Central Gauteng Lions (CGL) across the pipeline, women’s and men’s teams, as well as for the Junior Springbok Women.
Naidoo’s approach to sports medicine goes beyond physical treatment. With a background in psychiatry and a growing academic focus in mental health, including a PhD centred on female athletes, she advocates strongly for a more holistic model of care.
“For me, it’s about making sure we’re caring for the whole athlete, not just the physical side,” she explained. “Athletes are still human beings first. They experience the same everyday pressures as anyone else, alongside the added demands of high‑performance sport.”
This perspective is particularly relevant in women’s sport, where challenges often extend beyond the playing field. Naidoo highlighted issues such as limited funding, unequal access to resources, and the pressures of balancing dual careers as key obstacles many female athletes face.
“It really highlights how much more needs to be done to create an environment where female athletes can truly thrive,” she said.
Sports medicine specialist Dr Dhavina Naidoo brings a holistic approach to athlete care , combining physical performance with a strong focus on mental well being.
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Her work and impact have not gone unnoticed. According to Prof Christa Janse van Rensburg, director at SEMLI and head of section sports medicine at the University of Pretoria, Naidoo has consistently demonstrated strong clinical ability and commitment.
“Since her studies, she has stood out as a clinician who asks the right questions,” Janse van Rensburg said. “She has gained valuable experience working field‑side at rugby and cricket events and continues to perform exceptionally well within our practice.”
She added that Naidoo’s appointment to the national team is not only a personal achievement but also a broader symbol of progress.
“It shows that hard work and engagement pay off, and she is leading the way for young aspiring women physicians.”
As she prepares to begin her first national training camp, Naidoo remains grounded in her purpose, to support athletes not only in performance but in wellbeing.
Her message to young people, particularly young women in KwaZulu‑Natal, is simple yet powerful.
“If this is something you genuinely love, then trust that and follow it. Don’t be afraid to take up space, to pursue something that might not always feel traditional, and to back yourself along the way.”
When she is not on the side of the field, she is on the side of progress, breaking barriers, mentoring the next generation, and proving that a girl from Chatsworth can reach the highest levels of sport and medicine.
From the sidelines of Durban’s community sports fields to the elite environment of international rugby, Naidoo’s story is one of passion, perseverance and purpose, a journey that continues to inspire both on and off the field.