From Super Rugby Champion to Namibia Coach | Jaco Engels

In this episode, we sit down with Jaco Engels — former Namibia international prop, Super Rugby winner, and current coach within the Namibian national setup. Jaco reflects on a rugged playing career that took him through South Africa’s Currie Cup with the Leopards, Boland Cavaliers and Blue Bulls, before becoming part of both Currie Cup and Super Rugby–winning squads with the Bulls in Pretoria.

He shares stories from his time with the Eastern Province Kings and the Southern Kings during the 2013 Super Rugby season, as well as the journey that led to his international debut for Namibia at the age of 32 — culminating in a Rugby World Cup appearance in 2015 against the All Blacks.

Now coaching, Jaco also opens up about his unique experience working in Russia during the pandemic and the early stages of the war in Ukraine, and what he is doing now in his return to Namibia.

X: @AllTheRuckusPod