Former Falcons and Welwitschias winger Johan Corné ‘JC’ Greyling belongs to the elite group of players who represented Namibia at three different Rugby World Cups.
The self-proclaimed Okahandja-born fitness fanatic, who grew up in Klerksdorp, South Africa, used to play club rugby for Kempton Park-based Falcons.
“I started playing rugby at quite a relatively young age with the Bulletjie rugby club. I later went to Meiringspark Primary School from where I attended Klerksdorp High School, where I played as an outside centre,” he says.
He says he loved playing that position.
Bulletjie rugby is a non-contact, introductory rugby programme for boys and girls between six and eight years old in South Africa.
It focuses on fun, participation, and basic skills while keeping young players safe.
Greyling enjoyed a remarkable career.
“I think playing at three Rugby World Cups and representing my country is at the top of my achievements. Also, becoming the all-time top try scorer for Namibia is a remarkable milestone,” he says.
“My playing style was characterised by a combination of speed, technique and tactics. Speed when I was younger, and the older I got I learned to be technical and tactical.”
Currently Namibia’s record try scorer at 29 tries, Greyling says representing Namibia at three world cups was the proudest moment of his rugby career which ended with an impressive 48 caps for his country.
Greyling replaced former fullback Chrysander Botha, who recorded 28 tries, as the Welwitschias’ top try scorer with 29 tries.
This record was reached between 2014 and 2023, with 38 starts for the national rugby team.
“I don’t think I have any regrets sportwise,” he says.
“But if I could go back I would take everything in a bit more – especially the bigger events.
“Obviously, I wanted to go play rugby abroad in the overseas leagues, but I think my career with Namibia was very good.”
WORK, FAMILY
The former wing and centre is married to wife Estelle and the couple has two children.
He says his mom had the biggest influence on his rugby career.
“My mother supported me from day one, and my wife has always been there for me,” he says.
Greyling mentions Rieko Ioane, who plays as a centre or wing for United Rugby Championship club Leinster, as his toughest opponent.
The two clashed at the highest international level when Namibia played against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup.
Ioane came off the bench and scored a late try in the 76th minute to help the All Blacks secure a resounding 71-3 victory over Namibia in 2023.
The match, played on 15 September 2023, at the Stadium de Toulouse, in France, was heavily dominated by New Zealand, who ran in 11 tries.
The former Falcons star also scored a few remarkable tries of his own, with two of them scored at two separate world cups.
Greyling dotted down for his first try at the 2015 Rugby World Cup against Argentina when he scored his country’s second try during a 64-19 thumping by the Pumas.
To their credit, the Welwitschias are said to have dished out a spirited performance in their final group C match at Leicester City Stadium in the United Kingdom.
Greyling’s other significant try came in probably Namibia’s best showing at the 2023 Rugby World Cup when they narrowly lost 36-26 to Uruguay after trailing 20-12 at half-time.
Greyling once again scored the second try for Namibia during a gutsy performance at Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France, during a hotly contested group A match.
The star winger was also a prominent member of the Namibian team that defeated Kenya 36-0 in the 2022 Rugby Africa Cup final at Stade Maurice-David in France.
The victory for Namibia, who led 15-0 at half-time, secured them a qualifying spot for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Greyling, like some of his former national team teammates, is ploughing back to the game that gave him so much.
He is currently coaching Windhoek Afrikaans Privaatskool’s under-15 rugby team.
His words of encouragement to young rugby players are: “Never give up. There will always be upsets in life, but if you can get up and go again, you will succeed at some point.”
