When Neda Isaacs first dreamed of becoming a physiotherapist for the Springboks, she was 14 years old. Sixteen years later, that dream became reality. “I received my call-up to the Springbok Women’s 15s team two years ago, and it was an incredibly surreal moment,” Isaacs recalls.
“I had dreamed of this since I was 14 years old… It was truly a dream 16 years in the making, and a moment that reminded me that persistence, passion, and hard work do eventually come together.”
Springbok Women’s Physiotherapist, Neda Isaacs
Today, Isaacs stands as a cornerstone of the Springbok Women’s medical team, working at the intersection of elite performance, rehabilitation, leadership, and athlete welfare. In a rapidly evolving women’s rugby landscape, her work often happens away from the television cameras and headlines, yet it remains central to the team’s growth.
For Isaacs, the role has never simply been about treatment tables or matchday preparation. It is about trust, advocacy, and ensuring that athletes remain human beings first.
“The athlete always has to remain at the centre of the decision-making process,” she explains. “Working closely with the entire medical team, while actively involving the player in her management plan, is incredibly important.”
At a Rugby World Cup, where pressure intensifies with every training session, those principles are tested constantly. Isaacs recalls working with two players who sustained injuries in the lead-up to the tournament:
“In order to give them the best possible chance of playing, while also ensuring no further harm was caused, we had to work collaboratively and build a plan we both believed in. Successful rehabilitation and return-to-play decisions can only happen when the athlete genuinely believes you have her best interests at heart.”
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Before she became a physiotherapist on the international stage, Isaacs was an athlete herself. In 2019, she captained the South African Touch Rugby team, an experience she believes fundamentally shaped her clinical approach.
“Competing at a high level taught me just how much dedication and sacrifice it takes to succeed in elite sport,” she says.
“Having personally experienced many of the physical, emotional and psychological demands that come with high-performance environments allows me to better understand what athletes are going through.”
Ask Isaacs what the public perhaps misunderstands most about female rugby players, and her answer arrives quickly: resilience.
“Many of our athletes come from incredibly challenging backgrounds and have already overcome significant obstacles in life,” she says. “That resilience is deeply inspiring and motivates me to provide the best possible care and support I can for them as athletes and individuals.”
Isaacs credits her own success to the women who opened doors for her, specifically Rene Naylor and Inge Croy. For Isaacs, Naylor’s impact was transformative long before they shared a professional world.
“Rene was the reason I decided to become a physiotherapist.”
“Seeing her on the field when I was 14 years old showed me that it was possible for a woman of colour to achieve that dream.”
Complementing that inspiration was the mentorship of Inge Croy. “Inge was my mentor throughout university. She guided me, challenged me and created opportunities that greatly enhanced my understanding and skills as a sports physiotherapist.”
Now firmly established, Isaacs understands the responsibility of visibility. “I hope to inspire the next generation by showing young girls that there is a space for them in professional sport, not only as athletes, but also as clinicians, scientists and leaders.”
That commitment to development extends to her clinic work with student-athletes in the Western Cape. Her Master’s research, which focused on injury risk in young track and field athletes, continues to inform her practice.
“One of the biggest lessons from my Master’s research was the importance of not specialising in a single sport too early,” Isaacs explains. “There needs to be a greater emphasis placed on long-term skill development, movement competency, and enjoyment of sport, rather than focusing solely on winning at a young age.”
In a culture obsessed with early elite pathways, she advocates for balance.
“I focus on teaching athletes how to listen to their bodies, understand recovery, reduce injury risk, and ultimately improve performance in a sustainable way… I strongly believe sport can open doors academically.”
Seeing former high school patients progress to institutions like Stellenbosch University, thriving both academically and athletically, remains one of her greatest rewards.
Her career has also expanded into the entrepreneurial realm by developing her own practice – Neda Isaacs Physiotherapy. She admits the transition to the business side of healthcare required an entirely different mindset.
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“As a physiotherapist, our primary focus is naturally on the athlete… Transitioning into the business side of healthcare introduced an entirely new set of challenges,” she says. “It remains an area that constantly challenges me, but it has been incredibly exciting and rewarding.”
When asked about her legacy, her answer is direct: “More than anything, I want to be remembered as someone who always put the athlete first and consistently advocated for their wellbeing, both on and off the field.”
Isaacs advises young girls hoping to follow her path to gain experience as early as possible.
“Volunteer at local clubs, shadow professionals, and take every opportunity that comes your way! The experience you gain early on can shape your entire career.”
She also highlights the importance of visibility initiatives in sustaining the momentum of women’s sports. “gsport has created a much-needed platform for women in sport,” she says. “It has provided visibility, recognition, and a space where female athletes and professionals can share their stories… It has shown young girls that their dreams are possible.”
Looking ahead, Isaacs hopes to attend a second Rugby World Cup while continuing to raise awareness around medical support in girls’ school sport. Her greatest wish for the Springbok Women is that they continue to build on their foundations and break barriers.
“Our sponsors have played a significant role in helping our team receive the recognition they deserve,” Isaacs concludes.
“Now it’s important for the South African public to continue showing their support by attending matches… the more support we see from the stands and the broader community, the more women’s sport will continue to grow.”
Main Photo Caption: Springbok Women physiotherapist Neda Isaacs realised her childhood dream after sixteen years of dedication and hard work, and she now serves as a vital member of the national team’s medical department where she focuses on elite performance, rehabilitation, and the overall welfare of South African rugby players. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Through her private practice, Isaacs helps young student-athletes in the Western Cape find a sustainable balance in performance.
Photo 3 Caption: Having captained the national touch rugby team in 2019, Isaacs uses her experience as an athlete to better support her patients.
Photo 4 Caption: Isaacs emphasises a player-centred approach to medical care, ensuring that every athlete is an active partner in their recovery.
