Today, on 27 July 2025, we pause to honor the one-year anniversary of the passing of our founder, Professor Wilbur Julio Kraak. He was not just the visionary behind WJK Coaching, but a researcher, mentor, coach educator, and champion of grassroots rugby whose legacy still guides us today.
🌟 A life lived for the game and community
Born in Mamre (Western Cape) on 25 April 1984, Prof Kraak’s rise from diploma student to full professor at the University of Western Cape and former head of sports coaching at Stellenbosch University was steady, humble, and deeply rooted in people-first values.
He founded WJK Coaching Consultancy in 2012 to bridge sports science and grassroots performance, focused on empowering community rugby through education, analysis, and practical coaching.
🎓 Academic impact & Rugby Science contributions
Prof Kraak authored over 46 peer-reviewed publications, many in top journals like International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. His work earned an h-index of around 16, with colleagues from South Africa, Europe, and the USA contributing.
His research spanned match refereeing analysis, law change impact, all focused on improving player welfare and community-level rugby safety. He also studied coach education, concussion attitudes, and the role of technical feedback in improving tackle technique.
💬 Champion‑Minded leadership & mentorship
Remembered as a warm, caring mentor, Kraak pushed many students beyond what they imagined possible. A former mentee, Dr Jocelyn Solomons, called him more than an advisor, he was a confidante, supporter, and friend.
Stellenbosch University’s Prof Heinrich Grobbelaar and others praised his ability to elevate others, whether supervising PhDs or coaching community clubs.
🏉 Grassroots Rugby legacy & WJK Coaching
Under his leadership, clubs like St Georges Rugby Club ascended to Super League A in 2015, powered by his performance‑fueled approach, video analysis, scientific training methods, and physiotherapy integration.
He served on various rugby panels like the rugby talk show on television, Bôll & Ôll, and volunteered tirelessly at university and club levels, driven by a belief that sports can uplift communities.
🕯️ What WJK Coaching stands for today
Even in grief, the team chose forward thinking. After his passing, WJK Coaching recommitted to Prof Kraak’s values: holistic athlete development, grassroots uplift, and evidence‑based training.
He laid the foundations; today we build on them: coaching education, performance analysis workshops, and mentoring the next generation of coaches and players.
📝 Reflections from those who knew him
- Prof Tyrone Pretorius, UWC Vice-Chancellor:
“He was passionate, enthusiastic and eager… his short time with us will leave a footprint on everyone privileged to know him.” - Norman Jordaan, former Springbok:
“His selflessness was incredible… he wanted nothing in return, only to help and serve.”
🤝 Join us in celebrating his legacy
Today, join us online to honor Prof Kraak:
- Share your stories, memories, photos or videos of him or his impact
- Use our hashtags #LegacyOfProfWilburKraak and #CoachWilbur
✨ Final thoughts
From humble beginnings in Mamre to global sports science collaborations, Prof Kraak was in essence a builder. He built people. He built coaches. He built communities.
One year after his passing, we remain committed to carrying forward his champion‑minded philosophy: people first, performance second.
“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.”
That was his motto. Every day, we live it.
If you’re a former player, coach, student or friend, and have a memory to share, please post on social media with #LegacyOfProfWilburKraak and #CoachWilbur. Let’s keep his flame alive together.
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