Jacques Burger: from international rugby star to Namibian farmer

Saracens flanker and Space for Giants supporter on his retirement plans

The Namibian countryside, where Burger is to live upon retirement from professional rugby

Jacques Burger, Saracens flanker and former Namibia captain, retired from international rugby following last year’s World Cup after a career spanning nine years. Known for his tough tackling, he amassed 36 caps, including three Rugby World Cup appearances – in 2007, 2011 and 2015 – and won the Premiership twice with Saracens.

Burger’s passion for the sport blossomed as a boy playing for the amateur club his father managed. Burger is now returning, not to the rugby pitch, but to a 14,000-acre farm in southern Namibia with his wife and two children. “I jumped at the opportunity to buy this farm,” he said. "It was something I wanted to fall back on once I retired.”

Jacques’ farm is in Stampriet, an old German trading post. It’s off grid, with wilderness as far as the eye can see. His closest neighbour is 15 miles away – a stark contrast to playing in front of roaring crowds every week.

“Rugby has always come natural to me. I love it – the adrenalin pumping, the feeling of being alive out in the pitch - but Africa also makes me feel alive. It is a special place, a perfect mix of space and wildlife,” he says.

Farming opens the door to another of Jacques’ passions – nature. “It is the feeling of being out in the wilderness, the wide-open spaces and beautiful landscapes and way of life that draws me back to Namibia,” Burger says.

Burger also has a desire to protect it. A couple of years ago, Saracens got involved with elephant conservation charity Space for Giants, working in Kenya and other African countries with significant elephant populations. Burger struck-up a relationship with founder and CEO, Max Graham, and has wanted to help ever since.

A sunset over the Namibian desert

“I saw an opportunity where I could make a difference in my country and Africa as a whole, protecting something I feel strongly about,” he says. “Nature is a part of who I am, and wanting to protect it comes naturally to me.”

On 20 April Burger will join players inluding Jim Hamilton and Phil Vickery at the Giants' Dinner in London, hosted by Will Greenwood and in aid of Space for Giants. He will also lead Mount Kenya Climb in June to raise funds for the charity.

“The biggest challenge in protecting elephants is combating the poaching crisis and we need to address this urgently,” he said.

Burger, left, with teammates on a boat-ride in Namibia

The Giants Club, supported by Space for Giants, holds its inaugural summit in Kenya on April 29, hosted by Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta. It will be the largest gathering of African political leaders who, along with financiers, philanthropists, celebrities and conservationists, will be assembled to address the poaching crisis and lay out unique approaches to protect elephants and the landscapes on which they depend. The same landscapes that draw Jacques back to his country and which he too is passionate about protecting.

To find out more about The Giants Club Summit go to: spaceforgiants.org/giantsclub/summit/

To find out more about Giants’ Dinner, please email: clare@ourlegend.com

To find out more about Jacques’ Mt Kenya Climb, go to: spaceforgiants.org/journeys-for-giants/

To donate to the Giants Club, go to: spaceforgiants.org/giantsclub/donate/