Zebaldt Ngaruka

GOBABIS – Namibia’s promising rugby player McHenry Kambatuku says there is disparity in terms of rugby development in the country, and much focus is given to the senior national men’s team only.

The 20-year-old University of Namibia (Unam) player expressed his opinion with New Era Sport on the status of rugby development and shed light on his promising rugby career.

Kambatuku, who represented the country’s under-20 team, said there is a huge gap that needs to be filled in terms of rugby development at all levels, adding that in the past few years the focus was mostly on the senior national men’s team.

This disparity, according to him, cost Namibia’s national men’s team a qualification spot in the prestigious Rugby World Cup set for Sydney, Australia, next year in October. 

“I think the focus must now be changed and all levels must be supported holistically. We haven’t qualified for the World Cup, and more attention must be put on the youngsters starting from the Tjokker rugby all the way to the under 20s (u/20),” he said. 

The Windhoek-born player opined that participating in the tournament is not development, but competing is to expose the players of different age groups to different high-performance programmes and high-level competitions. 

A versatile player who plays as a loose forward (blindside and openside flanker) and eighth man positions suggested that schools are the starting point for rugby development in the country.

 Schools are where the love for the game starts, because when kids are introduced to rugby at a young age, especially eight to 12, it should be fun, safe and focused on simple skills like passing, catching and movement. If they don’t get that early exposure, many will naturally choose other sports that feel more accessible,” he explained. 

 Kambatuku also said that attention must be given to coaching as it is important as playing, adding that a good coach can shape a player’s confidence and future, while poor coaching can hold them back at the school level. 

Kambatuku proposed that young players also need regular game time to improve, saying that training is important but real growth happens in matches. “Creating more opportunities for consistent competitions helps players build experience and confidence,” he argued.

“When local businesses and people get involved, whether through providing equipment, transport, or funding, it will create more opportunities for young players and help the sport grow from the bottom level up,” he said.

 On his rugby career, he told the publication that he chose rugby because most of his friends in primary school played rugby and in schools where rugby was a predominant sport.

 The 20-year-old added that his journey started in 2014 when he was nine years old at Pioneers Park Primary School (PS).

When he was 12, he went to Orban PS, and that is where everything started, as I had coaches who believed in me in the name of Christel Janet Kotze and Janice Beukes. 

Kambatuku enjoyed himself at Orban; after two good years of rugby and exposure to different playing styles, he wanted to go to Windhoek High School (WHS). 

The youngster also played for Pumas Rugby Institute in Nelspruit, South Africa (SA), under Harlequins Rugby Club in Pretoria before signing for Unam this year.

Among his early achievements in the sport of rugby, Kambatuku said a lot is still to come as he is eyeing remaining persistent. 

 However, his talent was noticed as he was selected for the national U/17s squad in 2022.

 He added that his first game for the Pumas Institute u/21 team remains one of his career highlights. “This was in a final of the competition, and we won the u/21 Mpumalanga league. I also played in the u/20 Carlton Cup (Blue Bulls Rugby Union), which broadened my playing style,” he said.

 Playing for the national u/20 team and winning the Barthes Trophy against Zimbabwe on their home ground after seven years of long drought is also a key highlight in his career.

Kambatuku’s ambition is to lead the Namibian senior team in the upcoming years and qualify for the World Cup again.

 New Zealand’s Ardie Savea is Kambatuku’s role model in rugby, as, according to him, he showed what it means to be a child of God more than being a rugby player.

 “He is a great player; one can learn a lot from him to stay humble, work hard and play with heart every time he steps onto the field. I admire his playing style, work ethic and determination,” he said.  He added that Savea, who plays as a loose forward, didn’t become one of the best players in the world overnight but due to his work rate and character. 

Kambatuku further advised upcoming rugby players to have faith and work hard, saying that there will be bad seasons but to appreciate the good ones more.

 “Don’t allow anyone to break your self-confidence. Believe in yourself and always stay humble no matter what,” he encouraged. 

He also emphasised the importance of parental support in their children’s sports careers and applauded his parents for endless support.

The 20-year-old is planning to register for an agricultural course next year.

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