Vuyiswa Ntombela: From a Casual Hobby to South Africa’s FootGolf Standout on the World Stage

What began as a simple search for a hobby in 2022 has transformed into an inspiring international sporting journey for Katlehong-born athlete Vuyiswa Ntombela. In just a few years, she has evolved from a former football player exploring a new pastime into one of South Africa’s most promising FootGolf competitors, representing her country on the world stage.

FootGolf, a hybrid sport that blends the technique and precision of golf with the creativity and intensity of football became the unexpected gateway to her rise. Drawn initially by curiosity, Ntombela quickly found herself excelling in a sport that rewards both discipline and instinct. That early interest soon turned into qualification for her first major milestone: the 4th FootGolf World Cup, hosted in Orlando, United States in 2023. For many athletes, simply qualifying for a World Cup is a career highlight. For Ntombela, it was only the beginning.

From Orlando to Acapulco: Rising Through the Ranks

Her journey continued into her second World Cup appearance in Acapulco, Mexico, taking place from 27 May to 7 June, where she was one of only four women selected to represent FootGolf South Africa. Competing against the world’s best, Ntombela delivered a performance that firmly established her as South Africa’s leading women’s player at the tournament. “Representing South Africa at the FootGolf World Cup for a second time was an incredible honour and a reminder of how far this journey has taken me. It also comes with pride, responsibility, and gratitude. On days where I felt like I have nothing left to give off, my teammates who were doing well and the ones watching, rubbed off their good energy on me to keep me going” said Vuyiswa when asked how it was representing her country for the second time.

Her standout moment came during Round 3 of the individual competition, where she recorded her first-ever hole-in-one on the world stage. This achievement was historic not only for her career but also for the tournament itself, as she became the first and only South African woman to score a hole-in-one at this year’s FootGolf World Cup. “Having my first ever hole in one at a World Cup made the experience even more special. It boosted my confidence, it made other players from different countries to respect me. I will cherish it until I do the second one but this will go to the history books of my FootGolf journey” said Vuyiswa when asked about her first hole in one moment.

Ntombela finished with an impressive -2 score, marking the best single-round performance across all South African teams in the competition—spanning men’s, women’s, and senior men’s categories. Her consistency, precision, and mental strength under pressure distinguished her as the top South African women performer of the entire World Cup. This performance was not just a personal triumph, but a statement of the growing competitiveness of women in FootGolf and South Africa’s potential on the global stage.

Beyond competition, Ntombela is also building her legacy through storytelling. She is the subject of a FootGolf documentary titled A Shot at Fate, which chronicles her unexpected rise from recreational player to international competitor. Her background as a former football player laid the foundation for her technical ability, but her current lifestyle reflects a broader athletic identity. Outside of FootGolf, she remains active in cycling, running, and storytelling—each discipline contributing to her endurance, creativity, and perspective as an athlete.

Vuyiswa Ntombela’s story is still unfolding, but its direction is already clear: what started as a hobby has become a platform for excellence, representation, and inspiration. From Katlehong to Orlando and Acapulco, her journey reflects not only personal growth but also the rising profile of women in FootGolf globally. As she continues to compete and tell her story, Ntombela stands as a reminder that sometimes the smallest decisions like picking up a new hobby can lead to the biggest stages in the world.