National Champion Max Krafft Brings International Talent to Maties Beach Volleyball

At just 19, Namibian beach volleyball standout Max Krafft has already won national titles, competed on the international stage, and represented his country at world level. Now a first-year engineering student at Stellenbosch University, he is preparing to make his debut for the Maties Sport Volleyball Team at the upcoming University Sport South Africa (USSA) Beach Volleyball Tournament in Durban from 22–24 November 2025.

Krafft’s sporting journey began long before he discovered beach volleyball.
“I was very fortunate that my parents sent me to a lot of sports,” he recalls. “I played after school at two different sports sessions every day. I did gymnastics, I was part of the nationals, I did soccer, I did swimming – also nationals.”

That broad sporting foundation, sharpened into a passion for beach volleyball about four years ago. The ball skills, agility, and competitive mindset he developed across sporting codes have become invaluable assets on the sand.

Sport is also a family affair for Max. He competes alongside his younger brother, a partnership strengthened by years of playing and training together.
“We have great chemistry… we used to play a lot together. Of course, here and there, there’s some conflict, but not a lot,” he laughs.

His father – a Stellenbosch University engineering alumnus, coaches the pair on the road, while their mother manages the team and oversees logistics. This strong family support, along with his father’s connection at Stellenbosch, played a big role in Max’s decision to further his studies in South Africa. “It’s always nice having that support,” says Max.

That guidance helped the brothers to a significant milestone earlier this year, winning gold at the U21 African Beach Volleyball Championship in Morocco and earning a place at the U21 World Championships in Mexico, proudly represented Africa, facing off against some of the world’s top ranked European teams.

Krafft’s international experience will be an asset to the Maties Volleyball programme while balancing a demanding engineering degree. Max approaches it with a level headed strategy and discipline. As he prepares for his first USSA tournament in Maties colours, he is eager for the challenge. “I’m very excited,” he says.

Max Krafft embodies a young engineering student committed to academic success and a beach-volleyball athlete who has already proven himself on the national and global stage. From his multi-sport beginnings in Namibia to competing internationally and now representing a South African university.

All eyes will be on this young student-athlete, not only for his performance but also for the remarkable journey he is shaping through hard work, which echoes Maties’ message of excellence both on and off the court.

By Jamie Wyngaardt