EX-SOUTH African international rugby player Thinus Delport was at Malmesbury School last Thursday (Jan 14) to inspire their high sports achievers.

A member of South Africa’s 2003 World Cup squad and with over 100 caps for Worcester Warriors, Delport spent the day conducting sessions with pupils across the school.

He spoke to school’s most gifted sports students in a workshop and physical activity session to teach them to deal with the pressures of playing and maintaining a healthy balance between academic work and sport.

Mr Delport said: “It’s encouraging them to challenge themselves to be the best they can be and sharing the experiences and skills I have picked up through my career and imparting some of that knowledge and wisdom.

“The challenge they have is to manage their time, focusing on their sport but also their academic performance. Sport does have the benefit of developing different life skills that are beneficial in school.”

Mr Delport, a Sky Sports Living for Sport Athlete Mentor, spoke about six keys to success including mental toughness, hunger to achieve, people skills, sports knowledge, breaking barriers and planning for success.

Year 10 hockey player, Hannah Denning, said: “It helps you realise what you have to do to be the best you can be. It makes me realise I have to push myself hard and do something I’m not comfortable with.”

Swimmer and netballer Annabel Hosking, also in year 10, added: “It’s quite hard to keep up with two sports but with GCSES as well it’s hard to keep up with everything.

“I want to do well. It’s the balance of reaching your goals academically and in sport.”

Later, Mr Delport, who played 18 times for his country and scored three tries, met primary school children who have completed a sports leadership qualification and Malmesbury students involved in other leadership opportunities.

PE teacher Ceri Griffiths said: “We work with primary schools teaching year five and six students’ sports leadership and leading activities. We hope they can come up and be inspired by Thinus Delport and be inspired by his leadership.”