Meet sensation rugby player Denzo
• By Michael Uugwanga
Denzo Bruwer, the son of former Brave Warriors goalkeeper Denzel Bruwer, has followed in his father’s footsteps and chose rugby over football. Bruwer, who recently played semi-professional rugby for Polish side RC Lechia Gdańsk Rugby Club, a club he moved to last year, is now back at the club that made him who he is today.
Bruwer is now part of the senior rugby side, the Welwitschias, which is set to play some international test matches, starting with Portugal this weekend. A fortnight ago, he also featured for the Welwitschias against South Africa’s franchise Vodacom Blue Bulls, a side that thrashed the Namibian side 90-8 at the Hage Geingob Stadium as part of its preparations in the upcoming test matches.
His father was the first-choice Brave Warriors goalkeeper for years. He also played professional club football abroad, notably in South Africa for Ajax Cape Town, Bay United, African Wanderers and Avendale Athletico.
Locally, he was featured in his boyhood club, Civics, and played 28 times for the Brave Warriors.
This week, Confidente caught up with Denzo Bruwer as he shared his rugby journey and how playing rugby has changed his life. “I started playing rugby at a young age. I started playing at the U-12 level for Origo Primary in 2010, but only to help the rugby teams that needed players. Since then, I have fallen in love with the sport. “I mostly played soccer at a young age but never felt the same passion and desire as when I stepped on a rugby field. I only started playing rugby at Windhoek Gymnasium since rugby was the most common sport code at the school, and I was then in Grade 8.
“Rugby has been a big part of my life…opening countless doors for opportunity. Not just for my sport but also my academics. It has taught me the importance of hard work and discipline. Rugby has given me identity and self-confidence to take on any aspect of my life. I play for Wanderers rugby team, recently just got back from a stint in Poland. I am a versatile player and cover most positions in the back line, but I prefer fly half or fullback,” said Bruwer.
Against Blue Bulls, the Welwitschias were outmuscled by the South African club team that never gave the home team any chance to play its flair rugby in front of a well-attended stadium; however, for the Welwitschias, it was a good experience, as the team hardly got international matches to play.
Apart from playing rugby, he is a full-time employee at Kia Namibia in Windhoek. “Playing against the Bulls was an excellent experience, especially when you measure yourself on a rugby level against professional players. It was tough, but the lessons learned from the game benefit us as local players.
“I study Business management at STADIO Namibia and work as a sales executive for KIA M&Z. Besides that, I mostly spend time with family and friends. As mentioned, family time is significant to me, so I try to spend as much time with them as possible. I also use the gym during my free time to ensure I stay physically fit and partake in charity events such as running in 5km and 10km marathons.
Now that he is playing domestic rugby, he has not given up hope of returning to Europe to play rugby after receiving several offers. However, he has yet to make that commitment to return to Europe.
But for now, his focus is on his Wanderers side, who are also very much in the title race, seven points behind log leaders Unam, with 55 points to Wanderers 45 points. Bruwer is one of the lucky plays to have received top-class rugby coaching from former Springbok coach Allister Coetzee, current men’s senior rugby head coach.
“I have received a few opportunities to return to Europe, but I have delayed it for personal reasons. He (Coetzee) is a very good coach and has much experience. As a coach, he wants the best for the team and all the players. “He is intelligent and has good rugby knowledge. Working hard is our primary goal, and staying focused will be essential for a successful season,” said Bruwer.