Next time Isabella Kruger steps on court she will be fighting for a place in the quarter-finals of the Junior Championships, Wimbledon – and delivering at the business end of tournaments is very much a family trait.

Kruger’s late father, Ruben, was a member of the South Africa team that famously won the 1995 Rugby World Cup amid jubilant and emotional scenes at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park.

Ruben was a committed and combative flanker who chalked up 35 points for his country during a six-year international career, while he is noted for scoring a controversial try in the World Cup semi-final against France in Durban. 

Following South Africa's victory in the final, the image of then-president Nelson Mandela presenting captain Francois Pienaar with the Webb Ellis Trophy while wearing a Springboks jersey – previously considered by some as a symbol of apartheid – remains iconic.

Ruben tragically passed away in 2010 following a long battle with brain cancer, although his legend lives on in the hearts and minds of the South African people, and for Isabella through the stories of her mother, Lize.

“My dad was a rugby player and of course I take a lot of inspiration from him,” Kruger told itftennis.com. “My mum tells me a lot about him and what he achieved during his player career.

“It is incredibly inspiring for me, and I am so honoured to be his daughter. As I say, my mum tells me all the stories of him and how focussed and determined he was, and I am working towards being the same.

“That World Cup is in the history of South Africa, especially with what it meant for apartheid. It was a really special event in South Africa and my dad was a part of it, and I love watching old videos of it. It definitely pushes me to work harder.

“Like my dad, I love representing my country and representing South Africa here at Wimbledon is something I am so proud of. There are quite a few South Africans in the crowd, which I love. I love seeing those Springboks jerseys as I’m a massive fan myself.”

That she certainly is and one of her first acts after sealing her place in the third round courtesy of a gruelling three-set showdown with Slovakia’s Nikola Daubnerova on Monday evening was sign a supporter’s Springboks shirt.

Kruger is making her Junior Grand Slam debut at the Junior Championships, Wimbledon and is contesting her first junior tournament since suffering a first-round exit at JA Merida in December 2019.

In the intervening period she has concentrated solely on professional events and has significant pedigree having reached her first ITF World Tennis Tour final at W25+H Tossa de Mar in May.

The 17-year-old secured a place in Junior Championships qualifying through her WTA ranking – she currently sits at No. 456 in the world – and after successfully navigating two rounds at Roehampton last week, took her place in the main draw.

She is making her presence felt here and will draw swords with home favourite Mingge Xu of Great Britain on Wednesday as her quest for silverware at one of the world's most evocative sporting venues continues.

“To get into qualifying I needed my ranking to be below 500 and, when it was, I just decided that it was such a cool opportunity to come and play here,” said Kruger. “I am really glad that I did because I am absolutely loving it. It’s awesome.

“I am also really happy that I get the opportunity to play in the next round because my second-round match was such a tough encounter. It went to three sets and all three were super close. This is such an amazing experience for me and I’m enjoying every minute.”

While this year’s Junior Championships represent Kruger’s Wimbledon debut, there was another poignant visit to SW19 a decade ago, which perhaps sowed the seed for her aspirations to one day play on the famous grass courts.

“I have been to Wimbledon as a supporter previously and to soak up the atmosphere,” added Kruger. “Let me tell you, it is a lot different being here as a player than a fan.

“I was only about seven years old when I came, and I just remember meeting Roger Federer and he was so nice – his mother is also South African. I was so small, but it is such a cool memory of mine that I met him.

“I also remember watching Serena Williams, while Maria Sharapova was also playing at that time, and while from that moment it was always a dream of mine to play here, now I am actually here and experiencing it, the whole thing is just unreal.”