DUBAI // Seldom do players win trophies at Dubai Rugby Sevens with more than one team. Particularly when their playing days are long behind them, and their pre-tournament training extends to not much more than the odd bike ride every so often.
When Thinus Delport lines up for J9 Legends at The Sevens next weekend, he will be targeting a fifth final, and a fourth title, in the space of six years of competing in the International Vets tournament.
And that success has come with separate sides. First he was part of the Xodus Steelers, who ended probably the longest winning record in the history of the Sevens, when they beat serial winners Christina Noble in the 2012 final.
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Then he swapped allegiances to join a team set up to raise awareness of the foundation Joost van der Westhuizen founded to fund research into motor neuron disease.
The former South Africa scrum-half is battling the degenerative condition, and his former Springboks colleague Delport felt compelled to join the cause.
“Joost wasn’t just a teammate, we were roommates for one competition,” said Delport, who now lives in the United Kingdom.
“He was a hero for me. He is a little bit older than me. When I was 20 years old, these guys won the World Cup in 1995, and they were absolute idols.
“Luckily I had the opportunity to play against them, then ultimately with them. I played at the World Cup in 2003, which was Joost’s last World Cup.
“It is very, very close to me, the fact such a fighter has lost that physical ability. He is still sharp. You can see that twinkle in his eye. His brain is quick to respond.
“It is sad to see what Motor Neuron Disease can do to someone, but what he has done is an inspiration.”
Delport was part of the J9 side that won the International Vets 12 months ago. They have retained much of that winning team, although Waisale Serevi has moved from their playmaker role to that of coach.
With star-studded competition in the form of Christina Noble and Joining Jack, he fears retaining the trophy is going to be tough, but he is excited about the prospect.
“There’s about five or six teams that can play in the final and win it,” he said.
“You will always miss the buzz, excitement, and adrenaline rush of playing the game, but real life takes over and it pulls you away.
“When you do have those opportunities to play and get back with your mates, it is a real buzz, especially in Dubai.
“Before you run out for the final, and there are thousands of people in the stands, you still get those butterflies in your stomach. It is awesome, what you have been missing and what you lived for.”
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