Manjezi eager for special test against champions
Derby win perfect preparation for physical Stormers, says second row
SINTU MANJEZI sent a text message to his mother in South Africa a few weeks back consisting of a screenshot of the temperatures he was experiencing in Glasgow. “The high was - 2C and the low was around - 9C and I told her: ‘ They didn’t write this in the contract when I signed’!” he laughs – before confirming that he does not consider this to be grounds for calling the lawyers in to negotiate a release from the deal he signed during the summer, when he joined Glasgow Warriors from URC rivals the Bulls.
“Every day I’m adapting so the longer I’m here and around the boys the more comfortable I get with it,” he continues.
Settling in has been helped, of course, by the fact that after a bumpy start to the season – featuring three good home wins, four painful away defeats and a postponement from their first eight scheduled matches – Warriors have hit a rich seam of form with five wins on the bounce, with Manjezi getting regular game- time having featured in 11 out of the 12 games played under new head coach Franco Smith.
“Franco came in a bit late so it took some time to get everything going, but for everyone who gets an opportunity to play, we know that we’re doing it also for all those who aren’t out there,” says the 27- yearold second row. “You have a responsibility in the jersey. And that means a lot. That’s the culture that Franco has instilled in us. When you’re out on the field, give it your all as there’s someone sitting at home wishing they were playing.
“It’s not really about the wins it’s about the processes for us. The result is just something that happens. We look to execute our game- plan, everything that’s been built up through the week. Franco normally instils that if we do that the scoreboard will handle itself. Over the past few weeks, the hard work we’ve put in has shown that.
“We want to be confident in our own capacity but take it week by week. The belief we have as a team is that we can play in finals and do well there but that’s a long- term goal. It’s about processes and executing every week so that when
that time comes it’s because of a build- up of consecutive good performances and the results taking care of themselves.”
Warriors face an almighty challenge as they look to extend this winning run into a sixth week, with reigning URC champions, the Stormers, set to provide the opposition at Scotstoun on Sunday – but Manjezi believes the team’s back- to- back festive wins over Edinburgh have been the ideal preparation for the task ahead.
“South African teams are usually pretty physical but don’t play down the Scottish derby and how much the guys went at it in those games,” he says. “I was a little bit surprised about the physicality in that game [ Friday night’s 32- 25 win at Murrayfield] because Edinburgh really brought it to us.
“We were able to break them down in the second half of both games, but it was really physical in the first half especially. So, if we can handle that then hopefully it
stands us in good stead for Stormers.
“Stormers, as the defending champions, is going to be a big one for us. I played against them a few times from my time back in South Africa and I know a few of the guys there from playing at Cheetahs and Bulls, so I’m looking forward to it.
“They execute well in the opposition 22. They have one strike and normally score a try from that. And they can create from anywhere. They have a lot of ball players and guys who like to thrive off scraps. So that’s what they will bring.
“But we’re confident in our own capacity and what we’re able to do. If we can really execute what we’re good at then it should be a good encounter.
“It’s going to be special to take on the defending champions but more importantly we’re back at home. We really enjoy playing in front of our own fans. They really do give us an edge.”
You have a responsibility in the jersey. When you’re out on the field, give it your all as there’s someone sitting at home wishing they were playing