For many rugby fans, memories of ‘Big Joe’ van Niekerk will revolve around his impressive exploits on the field, with the blonde loose-forward dynamo featuring in 52 Tests between 2001 and 2010.
However, after hanging up his boots, he also spent a remarkable few years in the jungles of Costa Rica, where he ran a wellness centre.
His partner Cato is from Belgium, and after recently leaving Costa Rica, they headed to her home country for the birth of their baby.
“May I introduce you to our newest co-creation & family member… Our beautiful baby boy Ragnar Ari Van Niekerk,” she wrote on Instagram in a collab post with Van Niekerk.
“Half Belgian, half South African. Born under the New Moon in Taurus (just like his dad) and having his life path number 3 (just like his mom). 🥹♥️ Nothing but bliss and ecstasy we feel right now as we are holding him in our arms, completely in awe of this miracle.
“Although the birth didn’t go as intended, we feel immense gratitude for Western medicine to have saved our little boy’s life after 24 hours of intense labour and to have brought him safely to Earth side.
“As I’m still recovering and integrating what happened, I feel beyond blessed that I had the most incredible doula team of my mom and partner, who held such a loving space for me and who were there every step of the way. We were all in such deep sync as we navigated the birth portal together.
“I’ve especially grown a deeper layer of love and gratitude for my man. As we moved through the storm together, his deep trust in me gave me the reassurance that we could get through anything together. Each time our eyes met, I felt empowered to keep going…
“What a journey it has been. Thank you all for your loving messages and thank you Ragnar for being the most extraordinary gift I have ever received.
“To all my fellow mommahbears out there, today is truly a special day — reminding me how much reverence I have for mothers — I bow for you all. Happy Mothers Day. ♥️”
In a recent interview with SA Rugby magazine, Joe spoke about this next chapter of his life.
“Cato is from Belgium, so we’re going there for the birth – her parents live in Ghent – and then we’ll head back to South Africa at the end of the year. Cato loves South Africa so much that I sometimes feel she’s more South African than me!
“I’m on the right trajectory in my life. We’ve chosen the name Ragnar for him, because he’ll be born during the year of the dragon, and we intend to raise a boy with Viking power, great strength, humility and leadership, but also with a beautiful open heart. We feel this name reflects this energy so beautifully.”
Van Niekerk has led a fascinating life since retiring from rugby in 2014 after winning the French Top 14 and European Champions Cup with Toulon. Since then, he navigated a fascinating pathway from rugby player to community leader of a healing sanctuary in Costa Rica.
His journey to the ‘jungle’ came after a period of self-introspection that originated from two years of relative solitude in France where he reflected on what sort of life he wanted to lead now that rugby had been left behind.
On his ‘journey to discovery’ Van Niekerk hired a camper van and travelled across Europe, but it was a life-changing trip to Costa Rica that led to him eventually buying a 25-hectare organic farm.
This farm was ultimately turned into a healing sanctuary called Rama Organica.
New phase of life for Joe van Niekerk
Despite entering a new chapter of his life, Joe van Niekerk’s website outlines how he will continue in his role as a life coach, body practitioner and holistic health mentor.
“I’m passionate about empowering you with the right tools to regulate your nervous system, break unhealthy patterns that aren’t serving you and healing childhood related wounding — so you can be free, happy and at peace in the present moment.
“I’m here to uplift others and be part of a world that inspires healing, growth, expanding consciousness and inner transformation.”
Giving back to the game
In another interview with Habari Media, the 43-year-old also highlighted how his ‘true love’ involved with bigger groups – and teams.
“My real passion lies within sport, so I see this as potentially a new role within rugby. Rugby players have to perform at a high level, week after week, and my dream is to be a coach and health mentor to these players.
“I would look at the human being, not the rugby player, and how his performance would improve if he was in a good space in his personal life. I would connect with each player individually and give them a safe space or haven where they can put whatever they want on the table. They would come into that space as a human being, and not have their rugby persona or identity be the main thing, or be told to be tough and strong.”
