THE versatile rugby forward Max Katjijeko, who is equally comfortable playing at lock or flank, is one of Namibia’s upcoming stars.
He made his international debut against Tunisia in 2017 and since then has gone on to play 15 tests for his country, while he also represented Namibia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
After the World Cup, Katjijeko was signed up by the Paraguayan team, Olimpia Lions, to compete in the newly-formed American Rugby Super League, and at the beginning of the year he moved to Asuncion for his new assignment. He could, however, only play three practise matches and one league match before the league had to be called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and has since returned home to Windhoek.
Katjijeko spoke to The Namibian Sport about his career.
Who was your sport hero as a child?
My sports hero would be Bakkies Botha, the Blue Bulls and Springbok lock forward. He was a vicious beast, I loved how he would dive into the rucks and how he hurt people, and I always looked forward to watching him play.
Who was the best player you ever played with?
The best player I’ve played with is definitely Johan Deysel. Not only is he a great player on the field and an amazing captain, but he is just as great off the field – he motivated me as a young player on his team and he always leads by example.
Who was the best player you played against?
The toughest player would be Willie Engelbrecht, who plays eighthman for the Pumas. I played against him in the SuperSport Challenge, where I played flanker and my shoulders were sore for a few days after the game. He would run over at east two players when he got the ball – I won’t mention any names, but there are a few victims roaming around Windhoek!
Who was the best coach you played under?
I actually have two great coaches who changed my rugby career. The first is Heinz Koll who coached me when I was still at Windhoek High School. He was the first coach who believed in me as a player. I was very skinny in high school and when we played against bigger opponents he always reminded me that rugby is not played in the gym.
The second is definitely Phill Davies. He taught me how to be a student of the game, and showed me how rugby can teach me more about life, so not only was he my rugby coach, but my life coach as well.
What was your most memorable match?
My most memorable match was playing against South Africa at the Rugby World Cup a few months ago. Playing against guys we normally only see on TV was out of this world and I really wouldn’t trade it for anything. It was physical and a hard game, but an experience of a lifetime.
What was the highlight of your career?
The highlight was definitely being at the Rugby World Cup. Everything about it still gives me goosebumps, from the team announcements and singing the nation anthem, straight through to the atmosphere from the fans and travelling around the beautiful country of Japan. There are no words to explain how I felt playing against the top-ranked countries, including the world champions, and the atmosphere in those huge stadiums.
What was the low point of your career?
That was not being chosen for the 2018 Nations Cup in Uruguay. At the time I felt that I had been in great form in the SuperSport Challenge, and that I deserved a chance in the national team, but obviously the coaches thought otherwise. But I don’t really see it as a low point, because it helped me push and work harder to be the player that I am today, and it taught me that God works in his own time and that if I do my part, God will do his part.
Name your best Namibian squad.
Johnny Redelinghuys, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Aranos Coetzee, Heinz Koll, Tjiuee Uanivi, Jaques Burger, Jacques Nieuwenhuis, Tinus du Plessis, Eugene Janjies, Theunis Kotze, Johan Tromp, Johan Deysel, Danie van Wyk, Lesley Klim and Chrysander Botha.
Substitutes:
Shaun Esterhuizen, Kees Lensing, Marius Visser, Wakka Kazombiaze, PJ van Lill, Damian Stevens, Cliven Loubser, JC Greyling.
Max Katjijeko – water boy and technical advisor.
