Spotlight on Eugene Jantjies

NATIONAL scrum half Eugene Jantjies called an end to a glittering international career at the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

He made his international debut against Kenya in 2006 and since then has gone on to rewrite the record books in terms of longevity for the national team.

He is the only player to have represented Namibia at four Rugby World Cup tournaments, while he has gone on to win a record 70 caps for his country. Jantjies, who is still only 33 years old, will continue to play club rugby after having joined Wanderers at last season.

He spoke to the Namibian Sport about some of the highs and lows during his career.

Birth place and date?

Gobabis, 10 August 1986

Who was your childhood hero?

I would say the All Blacks fullback Christian Cullen. I was fascinated by his style and the way he beat defenders like it was touch rugby. I also played fullback growing up, so I always wanted to play the same kind of game.

Who was the best player you ever played with?

That’s a tough one, I played with so many great players so it would be harsh just to mention one. But I’d say Andre Pretorius with whom I played at the Leopards for a season in 2012 – he was very talented and I must say I learnt a lot in that short period of time playing with him.

Who was the best player you played against?

It’s hard to name just one good player, but probably the best I played against was the Springbok flanker Francois Louw. I played against him twice at the World Cup in 2011 and 2019 and the guy was just so quick to the rucks, so as a scrum half I couldn’t get quick balls, because he always slowed it down.

Who was the best coach you played under?

I played under quite a few coaches throughout my career and they all helped me to reach my goal of playing for the national team. Hein Husselman helped me to get into the u13 Craven Week team by never giving up on me. He made me train every day and he was a great mentor and person.

Another coach who really helped me make the transition form scrum half to fullback was Coenie Prinsloo at Windhoek High School.

And then there was the national coach, Phil Davies, who is probably the best coach and mentor I have met so far in my career. He always wanted what’s best for you as a player and always wanted to help us as nation. It’s just too bad his time was cut short with us in Namibia.

What was your most memorable match?

It must be the one against Ireland at the 2007 World Cup. Although we lost that match 32-17 we played our hearts out and the boys left everything on the field. That for me showed the true spirit of Namibia – no one gave us a fighting chance but we proved them wrong.

What was the highlight of your career?

I’d say it was to represent my country at four World Cups, which is very hard to do in such a small country, so I’m honoured and will always be proud of that and my country.

What was the low point of your career?

I’d say that was in 2018 when I broke my arm and I thought there was no way to come back from that, but I believed and trusted in myself and managed to come back better and stronger.

Name your best Namibian team.

Jaco Engels, Shaun Esterhuizen, Aranos Coetzee, PJ van Lill, Tjiuee Uanivi, Jacques Burger, Tinus du Plessis, Jacques Nieuwenhuis, Eugene Jantjies, Emile Wessels, David Philander, Darryl de la Harpe, Piet van Zyl, Danie Dames and Heini Bock.

Substitutes:

Torsten van Jaarsveld, Andre Schlechter, Johnny Redelinghuys, Heinz Koll, Schalk van der Merwe, Ryan de la Harpe, Cliven Loubser, Johan Deysel.

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