NAMIBIAN fullback Chrysander Botha retired from international rugby last year after a stellar playing career over 11 years. During that time he rose through the ranks, from playing for Kudus in the Namibian Premier League, to the Golden Lions for whom he played in the Vodacom Cup and Super Rugby, as well as the English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs.
For Namibia he made the fullback position his own and went on to win 55 caps for his country, to finish second on the all-time list behind Eugene Jantjies, while he also set a new Namibian try-scoring record of 28 tries.
Botha spoke to The Namibian Sport about the highs and lows of his career.
Who was your sport hero as a child?
Growing up in the small community of Narraville in Walvis Bay, we basically participated in all playable sport codes, to avoid being home and doing chores. When playing soccer I always imagined being David Beckham, and to be fair I did score a couple of cracking free-kicks in the park, but when we were playing rugby, I was always the New Zealand fullback, Christian Cullen.
Who was the best player you ever played with?
I have been lucky enough to play at home and abroad, and during my travels I played with some great individuals. So it is really a challenge to pick out a single individual, but I think that a guy like Tinus du Plessis would be high on that list, he was an absolute machine.
Who was the best player you played against?
In 2013 I played for the Lions in the Currie Cup semifinal against Western Province at Newlands and I had to mark their hot-stepper, Cheslin Kolbe. It was a long day at the office – his explosive power and acceleration made it really difficult to play against him, while he is also a tough nut on defence.
Who was the best coach you played under?
I have been incredibly lucky to be coached by some great local coaches, the likes of Willie Botha (my dad), Willie van Zyl, Colin Stevens, Zane Jansen, Riaan Jantjies, Johan Diergaardt and John Williams. Then I also learned a lot from Johan Ackerman during my time at the Lions, and also gained massive experience under Phil Davies during his time as Namibia’s national coach. But if I should pick a coach who brought the best out of me as a player I would definitely say Swys de Bruyn. The man is an absolute genius and a great guy on and off the field. He also made it very enjoyable and I really flourished and grew during my time playing under him.
What was your most memorable match?
I have been involved in some great matches that have imprinted some wonderful memories over the years, like playing in qualifying matches for the World Cup, playing in my first world cup match, making my Super Rugby debut, and playing in the Aviva Premiership. But I am 100 percent sure that my first test match for Namibia against Zimbabwe in 2008, is my most memorable match. I can remember my family travelling to Windhoek to watch me and while singing the national anthem, I could see how proud my parents were, it was an amazing feeling.
What was the highlight of your career?
It would be really difficult to pick just one particular highlight, since there have been quite a few: I managed to score a try at the World Cup, I won the Vodacom Cup with the Lions; and I broke the Namibian test match try scoring record that was previously held by the legendary Gerhard Mans. But I would definitely say that trying to tackle the ‘Beast’, Tendai Mtawarira during a World Cup Match in 2011 was the craziest thing that happened to me. I stood there at fullback and he came charging from about 30 metres away towards me. I just said to myself, ‘the world is watching’, but he basically ran over me, lost his balance and fell over, because I think his one boot lace was untied. The video went viral on the internet and I think one day Ill show it to my kids to show them how ‘not to tackle.’
What was the low point of your career?
I was planning on ending my career on a high as a player, but not being picked for the 2019 Rugby World Cup was pretty sad, specially since I was involved in almost everything leading up to the qualification. I worked really hard, but I was not in the best physical shape and probably past my best playing years. But I think my biggest disappointment was the injury I sustained in 2014 while playing for Namibia against Canada. It was a freak accident and I suffered an ankle dislocation, a syndesmosis tear and a leg break all in one. I was never really the same player after that and to this day I still struggle with the ankle. This is something I regret but injuries are a part of rugby I guess.
Name your best Namibian squad.
Kees Lensing, Shaun Esterhuizen, Aranos Coetzee, Uakazuwaka Kazombiaze, Tjiuee Uanivi, Jacques Burger, Tinus du Plessis, Jacques Nieuwenhuys, Damian Stevens, Godwin Walters, Llewelyn Winkler, Johan Deysel, Danie van Wyk, Lesley Klim and David Philander.
Substitutes:
Casper Viviers, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Nico Esterhuyse, PJ van Lill, Eugene Jantjies, Cliven Loubser, JC Greyling.
