{{Short description|Namibian rugby union player and coach (born 1978)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox rugby biography | image = Kees Lensing.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Gideon "Kees" Lensing | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1978|6|1}} | birth_place = Keetmanshoop, Namibia | height = {{height|m=1.9}} | weight = {{convert|125|kg|lb st|abbr=on}} | ru_position = Prop | amatyears1 = | amatteam1 = | years1 = | years2 = 2001–10 | clubs1 = Castres | clubs2 = Leeds Carnegie | clubs3 = {{Rut|Sharks}} | clubs4 = {{Rut|Bulls}} | clubs5 = {{Rut|Mighty Elephants}} | clubs6 = Griffons | apps1 = | points1 = | repyears1 = 2002–09 | repteam1 = {{nrut|Namibia}} | repcaps1 = 24 | reppoints1 = 5 | coachteams1 = Rugby United New York (Forwards) | coachteams2 = Seattle Seawolves (head) | coachyears1 = 2018–19 | coachyears2 = 2020–2021 | ru_coachupdate = January 18, 2022 }}
'''Gideon "Kees" Lensing''' (born 1 June 1978 in Keetmanshoop, Namibia) is a former Namibian rugby union player and former head coach of the Seattle Seawolves of Major League Rugby (MLR). He played as a prop for six different teams over more than 11 years.
==Professional rugby career== Lensing played for the Namibia national rugby union team in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He was Captain of the Namibia National Team from 2006 to 2009, and ultimately played 24 matches<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/timeline/rugby/player/13971.html|title=Kees Lensing {{!}} Rugby Union {{!}} Players and Officials {{!}} ESPN Scrum|website=ESPN scrum|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> for Namibia (including leading the team at the 2007 World Cup).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/71561.html|title=Lensing tips players to make pro grade|last=Sport|first=PA|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref>
==Coaching career== Following a back injury, Lensing retired from his career as a player and transitioned into coaching in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ofm.co.za/article/rugby/114905/lensing-leaves|title=Lensing leaves|last=OFM|website=OFM|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref> After three years as the specialist scrum/forwards and defense coach of the Canon Eagles in Japan's Top League,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.japonrugby.net/canon-eagles.php|title=canon-eagles – japonrugby|website=japonrugby.net|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref>
Lensing relocated to New York City and signed as forwards coach of Rugby United New York for the Major League Rugby 2019 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://djcoilrugby.com/2018/08/20/rugby-united-new-york-kees-lensing/|title=Rugby United New York Signs Kees Lensing as Forwards Coach - djcoilrugby|date=2018-08-20|work=djcoilrugby|access-date=2018-10-26|language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=November 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He stayed in the MLR and served as the head coach of the Seattle Seawolves in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
==Professional rugby career== ===South Africa=== Lensing played for six teams during his professional rugby career. He made his professional debut at age 21 with South Africa's Northern Free State Griffons, playing 49 matches from 1999 to 2001.
In 2001, Lensing was selected for the South African National Rugby Union Team, the Springboks, U/23 Group, but had to withdraw due to a knee injury.
From 2002 to 2003, Lensing played with the {{Rut|Mighty Elephants}} (South Africa). He also made his debut for the Namibian National Side during this time (2002), and at age 25 he represented Namibia at the 2003 Rugby World Cup as first choice loose head prop.
From 2004 to 2005, he signed with the Blue Bulls Rugby Union Team (South Africa). Lensing played 47 matches in two seasons with the Bulls and in 2004 helped bring the team to a first place win at the Currie Cup and second place at the Vodacom Cup. He played for the Blue Bulls in the 2005 Super 12 international rugby competition, and was selected as Man of the match (MVP) in the game against the Australian Queensland Rugby Union (the Reds) at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. During this time, he was named in the Super Rugby "Super XV" two weeks in a row.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.supersport.com/rugby/blogs/super-wrap/Scrumming_machine_Kees_is_no_ape|title=Scrumming machine Kees is no ape|website=SuperSport official website|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> In total, Lensing had 10 Test match appearances for the Bulls. While playing for the Bulls, he also gained experience conducting numerous training sessions and clinics at schools.
===Europe=== In 2006, Lensing signed a three-year contract to play for Yorkshire Carnegie in Leeds, England (formerly Leeds Carnegie/LeedsTykes).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/4080892.stm|title=Leeds win chase to land Lensing|date=10 June 2005|publisher=BBC|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/lensing-to-leave-the-bulls-545597|title=Lensing to leave the Bulls {{!}} IOL|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref> The move was seen as a loss to the Bulls.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.superxv.com/sharks-sign-kees-lensing/|title=Sharks sign Kees Lensing – Super Rugby {{!}} Super 18 Rugby and Rugby Championship News, Results and Fixtures from Super XV Rugby|date=3 May 2006|website=Super Rugby {{!}} Super 18 Rugby and Rugby Championship News, Results and Fixtures from Super XV Rugby|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> However, at the end of his first season with Leeds, Lensing exercised the opt-out release clause in his contract and was aggressively recruited by the Sharks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/15384567/sharks-sign-kees-lensing|title=Sharks sign Kees Lensing|publisher=ESPN|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> He returned to South Africa to play for the Sharks in the Super 14 in 2006, generating controversy surrounding a reportedly high salary that was allegedly leaked to the media by a competing agent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/hugh-godwin-a-new-elite-vickery-and-the-props-of-big-wages-418277.html|title=Hugh Godwin: A new elite: Vickery and the props of big wages|date=30 September 2006|website=The Independent|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> Brian Smith, then-director of the London Irish, publicly criticized<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/4974748.stm|title=Smith attacks Lensing over move|date=4 May 2006|publisher=BBC|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> Lensing for the move, claiming that he had agreed to play for the Exiles. Lensing played for the Sharks from 2006 to 2008.
In 2007, at age 29, Lensing represented Namibia for the second time at the Rugby World Cup, this time as Team Captain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2318932/2007-Rugby-World-Cup-squads.html|title=2007 Rugby World Cup squads|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> Although he was living in South Africa at the time, Lensing was barred from playing for South Africa under World Rugby Regulations<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldrugby.org/regulations|title=Rugby World Cup|last=worldrugby.org|website=worldrugby.org|access-date=1 June 2016|archive-date=6 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606035052/http://www.worldrugby.org/regulations|url-status=dead}}</ref> because he had already represented Namibia in the 2003 World Cup.
In 2008, Lensing signed with Castres Olympique (France) in the Top 14 French rugby union league. He continued to play for the Namibian national team until 2009. In 2010, after helping Namibia qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Lensing announced his retirement at the age of 32.
In 2014, Lensing played for the Classic Springboks (South Africa), at the World Rugby Classic in Bermuda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://worldrugby.bm/index.php/news/82-the-2014-world-rugby-classic|title=World Rugby Classic Bermuda – The 2014 World Rugby Classic|website=worldrugby.bm|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref>
==Coaching career== ===South Africa=== In 2011, Lensing completed his Level 1 and Level 2 World Rugby (International Rugby Board) coaching certification and began coaching both players and other coaches. He first worked as a Forward Coach with the South African Correctional Services team in 2011.
In 2012, Lensing became a forwards coach with the Blue Bulls Tuks Rugby Academy at the University of Pretoria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archivedpublicwebsite.up.ac.za/default.asp?ipkCategoryID=13403&subid=13403 |title=University of Pretoria Archived Website |last=Website |first=University of Pretoria Archived |date=26 March 2012 |website=archivedpublicwebsite.up.ac.za |access-date=1 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013031037/http://archivedpublicwebsite.up.ac.za/default.asp?ipkCategoryID=13403&subid=13403 |archivedate=13 October 2016 }}</ref> Within the year he transitioned to head coach, and in November 2012 he became a scrum and forwards coach of the Tuks team.
In 2013, Lensing was named Forward Coach of the Limpopo Blue Bulls, U/21.
In 2014, he was selected as Forward Coach at the Investec International Rugby Academy in South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://investecacademy.com/|title=South African Rugby Academy {{!}} Rugby Academy {{!}} Rugby Player Courses {{!}} Rugby Coaching Courses|website=Investec Rugby Academy|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref>
===Overseas=== In 2015, Lensing was recruited as Specialist Scrum/Forward and Defense Coach of the Canon Eagles in Japan's Top League in Tokyo, Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.supersport.com/rugby/sa-rugby/news/150420/Lensing_to_Japan|title=Lensing to Japan|website=SuperSport official website|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> In 2015, the Eagles placed 6th out of 16 teams in the Top League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.top-league.jp/team/team.jsp?tid=7044|title=TOP LEAGUE OFFICIAL SITE – ジャパンラグビートップリーグ公式サイト|website=TOP LEAGUE OFFICIAL SITE – ジャパンラグビートップリーグ公式サイト|language=ja-JP|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref>
In 2018, Rugby United New York announced via its website and social media accounts that it had signed Lensing as the forwards coach for the New York City side's first season in Major League Rugby.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rugbyunitedny.com/news/rugby-united-new-york-signs-forwards-coach-kees-lensing|title=Rugby United New York Signs Forwards Coach Kees Lensing|website=rugbyunitedny.com|access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref> Additionally, Lensing continues to do education and training seminars for World Rugby, USA Rugby, the Blue Bulls Tuks Rugby Academy, and the [https://www.internationalrugbyinstitute.com/copy-of-kees-lensing-cv Kees Lensing Front Row Academy] at the [https://www.internationalrugbyinstitute.com/ International Rugby Institute] in Pretoria, South Africa.
== Successive clubs == * Northern Free State Griffons (South Africa) 1999–2001 * Eastern Province Elephants (South Africa) 2002–2003 * Blue Bulls (South Africa) 2004–2005 * Leeds Tykes (England) 2005–2006 * {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}} (South Africa) 2006–2007 * Castres Olympique (France) 2008
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.supersport.com/rugby/sa-rugby/news/150420/Lensing_to_Japan Lensing to Japan]. ''SuperSport''. 20 April 2015. *[http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12337/2621797/prop-lensing-to-lead-namibia Prop Lensing to lead Namibia]. ''Sky Sports''. 1 January 2007. *[http://www.news24.com/xArchive/Sport/Rugby/Sharks-sign-Kees-Lensing-20060504 Sharks sign Kees Lensing]. News 24. 4 May 2006. *[http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/player/13971.html ESPN profile]. Last updated 28 November 2009. *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080619100056/http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/default.asp?Id=15334&des=content Sharks profile]. Sharks Rugby. 2006.
{{Navboxes |title = Squads |list1 = {{Namibia Squad 2007 World Cup}} {{Namibia Squad 2003 World Cup}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lensing, Kees}} Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:White Namibian people Category:People from Keetmanshoop Category:Rugby union players from the ǁKharas Region Category:Namibian rugby union coaches Category:Namibian rugby union players Category:Sharks (rugby union) players Category:Bulls (rugby union) players Category:Rugby union props Category:Namibian expatriate rugby union players Category:Expatriate rugby union players in South Africa Category:Expatriate rugby union players in France Category:Expatriate rugby union players in England Category:Namibian expatriate sportspeople in South Africa Category:Namibian expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Namibian expatriate sportspeople in France Category:Rugby New York coaches Category:Namibia international rugby union players Category:2003 Rugby World Cup players Category:2007 Rugby World Cup players Category:21st-century Namibian sportsmen