A rock-solid defence has stood between the FNB Madibaz try line and their opponents since the start of the 2024 FNB Varsity Shield competition.
Inside centre Troy Delport, named the Player That Rocks in the victory against FNB UFH in round three, says suffocating the opposition on defence had become a point of honour for the squad.
“As a team, we pride ourselves on our defence and we have set ourselves specific defensive goals going into each game. And that is to allow our opponents as few points as possible and to try to stop them from scoring tries.”
Delport says their defensive system is only effective if everyone works together and is focused on the details. He doubts that any other team has worked as hard and prepared as well as they.
“Our blueprint is to stay in the moment, prepare well and work hard for the next game.”
Last year Delport was nominated for the overall Backline Player That Rocks Award and, although losing out in the final vote, he felt that being in the running had been an achievement in itself.
Delport learnt his rugby in Cradock in the Eastern Cape and bases his game on physicality. This season, he has been attempting to lift his intensity in running onto the ball as well as in the tackling department.
However, it is his rugby intelligence that has really benefitted under the watchful eye of coach David Manuel and his support team.
“They have had a huge impact on me, both as a player and person.”
Going forward it is now a matter of the team continuing to tick the small boxes that make a difference to the big picture, the number 12 says.
