‘Don’t let your circumstances determine your future’

Former Western Suburbs and Welwitschia scrumhalf Eugene Jantjies says he has known exactly what he wanted to achieve as a rugby player since high school.

The retired star says he did not allow the fact that he was born at the small town of Gobabis to deter his dream of playing top-flight rugby.

“I knew exactly what I wanted to achieve as a rugby player the moment I had to choose between athletics and rugby while still a pupil at Windhoek High School. I was a bright sprinter who excelled in both the 100m and 200m dashes, as well as in the long jump,” he says.

“But it was just impossible to do both sports at the same time. I was compelled to let go of one and it had to be athletics. Rugby is in my DNA. I set myself out as a senior national rugby team player and I can only thank our Almighty Father to have navigated my career.”

He says every sportsman must, however, work hard to reach their goal.

“Anyone can achieve success if they work hard and are consistent. Do not allow your circumstances to determine your future. Be passionate when you play, because not everyone gets the chance to play. Grab your chance with both hands.”

Jantjies started playing rugby at the age of six at Nossobville Primary School at Gobabis, but it was during his years at Windhoek High School that he caught the eye of the school’s coaches.

“I would describe myself as a tactical player who enjoyed playing as scrum-half. I loved my role as the link between the forwards and the backs. What was more thrilling was the fact that I was responsible for dictating the flow and tempo of play,” he says.

“I played for the under-13 side at the Cravenweek in South Africa at primary school and later represented the under-15 and under-18 teams at the same competition. I feel honoured that I was able to represent Namibia at two Under-19 Rugby World Championships as well.”

Jantjies joined Khomasdal giants Western Suburbs in the Namibia Rugby Premier League while still at WHS.

The retired scrumhalf made his debut for the Welwitschias in 2006.

“Like I said, nothing comes to you on a silver platter. I made sure every time I got on the pitch for my club, I really mixed it up and sweated it out to boost my team. I was not the one to pull out of a tackle, and I really enjoyed the physical aspect of the game,” he says.

“Hard work and consistency definitely worked in my favour, and I received my senior team call-up.”

Jantjies also had a one-year stint with professional South African outfit Leopards in the Vodacom Cup and the Currie Cup in 2012. Before that, he played for Farul Constanta in Romania from 2008 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2014.

“I also played for the Welwitschias in the Vodacom Cup competition in South Africa in 2010 and 2011. I regret ever leaving Leopards to go back to Constanta in 2012 because of work permit issues in South Africa. I could have been patient and waited until the matter was resolved,” he says.

He says playing professional rugby has sharpened his confidence and made him a better player for his country.

“The fact that I am the first Namibian to appear in four Rugby World Cups, and being the country’s most capped player with 70 tests, speaks volumes.”

Jantjies credits his longevity in the sport to an attitude built around the words “believe, trust, laugh and unity”.

He says he has even had them tattooed across his body.

WORK, FAMILY

The retired star got married to his longtime sweetheart and mother of his three children Lindy Jantjies in 2023.

He is currently a supervisor at a company that specialises in industrial cleaning and other services, a position he describes as challenging.

“Although I enjoy every moment of my job, I struggled to adjust after years of playing rugby,” Jantjies says.

“The job is challenging, considering that I am overseeing many people from many different cultural backgrounds. It requires a lot of understanding and being cognisant of their emotions. It is very difficult sometimes, but I always manage.”

Jantjies, who retired from the game at 35, is also an assistant backline tactical coach at Dolphins Sport Club.

Apart from travelling to other countries, especially to Europe, he says he mostly misses the days “that we wasted ourselves during the gruelling training regimen”.

“It was tough, but also sweet at the same time. Today’s generation got soft; they are not prepared to put in the hard work, but they still want to be rewarded for it.”

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