Daniller: 'Composure needed'
As one of the key men for the in-form FNB Maties this season, No.8 Tertius Daniller believes his teammates need to maintain their composure if they are to beat FNB UCT in their top-of-the-table Varsity Cup clash on Monday evening.
“We all know it’s a big game,” he told varsitycup.co.za, “(and) that’s when you need to keep your cool and maintain your composure.
“There should be plenty UCT fans at the match, after all Cape Town’s not that far from Stellenbosch, and what’s when you need to stay composed and just do what you’ve been doing (up till now).”
Well, judging by the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International log, the Maties have certainly done a lot right this season – having picked up five successive bonus point victories.
“We’ve been keeping to our structures,” said Daniller. “And if you keep to your structures, you can try a few things and luckily for us it’s come off nicely.
“We’re also a very motivated team, and constantly looking to do better, so I think our heads are in a good space ahead of this big game.”
On a personal level, Daniller has been in fine form for the Maties – impressing off the back of the scrum and also winning one Player that Rocks (Man of the Match) Award in the process.
“I’m learning every time I get out there to play,” said the modest No.8.
“I love the basics of rugby, the lineouts and tackling, but I am constantly learning about myself as a player and putting things into practice that I learn. As a No.8 you need to link between the forwards and the backs, so that’s something I’m always working on, but I’m building more confidence on a weekly basis.”
The 20-year-old loose is currently studying HR at Stellenbosch – “I’m taking it easy, I have two years to go” – and would love nothing more than joining his oldest brother, Cheetahs fullback Hennie, in the professional ranks.
“I’ve got two older brothers, so rugby was always in my blood,” said Daniller, who rates Pierre Spies as his current playing idol.
“Aside from being enjoyable, the Varsity Cup also gives one the opportunity to get spotted, so hopefully I can force my way into the Western Province Under-20 team and also get a few Vodacom Cup matches.
“Playing professional rugby is a dream of mine,” he added, “I guess I’ll have to see where or how I can realise that dream, but I’ll certainly work as hard as possible to achieve my goal.”
* Tomorrow night’s Maties v UCT match kicks-off at 8.30pm at the Danie Craven Stadium. The game will be televised live on SuperSport One.
