Vilikesa Sela says that his Bath Rugby team-mate Thomas du Toit is an amazing role model – and not just on the pitch.
Vilikesa Sela has praised Thomas du Toit for being an exceptional role model. Sela was part of the starting XV as Bath Rugby beat Harlequins here at The Rec on Saturday 18th April in Gallagher PREM Round 13 | Photo © Richard Briggs
Young prop Sela started in the Blue, Black & White’s 48-15 win over Harlequins at The Rec in Gallagher PREM Round 13 on Saturday 18th April.
And at the victors’ post-match press conference, the 21-year-old praised Springboks star du Toit for helping him improve his game.
Sela, who played for England A this season, said: “Even off the pitch he’s such a role model. Just an honest guy, family man, and every time I see him, I’m just like ‘I want to be exactly like him’.
“He’s the number-one tighthead in the world, in my opinion. So being able to train with him and learning from him is just amazing.”
When Sela was asked how he rates himself if du Toit is 10 out of 10, the former pupil of Bath’s Beechen Cliff School said: “That’s a tough question.
“I’d say I’m seven. I still feel like I’m a bit behind him, but there’s lots of progress to be made, and he’s talked to me after the match and he was saying ‘We can work on a few things’.
“So I’m just happy that he’s seen what I can work on and he’s happy with where I’m at.
“I’ve been talking to Thomas especially around recovery, because when I first started playing Premiership matches, I found after the matches my body would be in pain – and I was like ‘Last season he was doing 80-minute matches’ and he was just telling me ‘It’s all about the lifestyle’.
“He tried to put me on the carnivore diet. So red meat. I tried that for a bit and I noticed my numbers in the gym started skyrocketing.
“He’s got a lot of knowledge, and I’m happy that he’s around to give it to me.”
Sela revealed that the atmosphere within the squad at Bath is unlike anything he has experienced elsewhere.
He said: “I’ve been enjoying the squad. The atmosphere that we have within this team is something special – and being around different teams, it’s just something that I don’t really feel other than here at Bath. So I’m happy be here.”
