Alex Mann’s behavior during the week is a little different than Alex Mann’s behavior on the weekend.

On a weekday afternoon, the 21-year-old Cardiff defender is sure to shake hands with every journalist in the Arms Park press room as he heads towards the exit. Just days earlier, the former Wales Under-20 captain battled some big men, refusing to take a step back as Cardiff defeated the Stormers in a thrilling encounter.

“Honestly, I think it’s the Aberdeer in me,” he jokes when asked what makes him stand out among a group of strong South African forwards.

“Playing here at the Arms Park gives it an added advantage. The coaches talked about physicality all week and I took that a little personally. They came here to try to intimidate us, so I did my best to hold on. They towered over me. They are really good teams and great people.

“But deep down, it’s an exciting challenge. If you win, you will be victorious. If not, then no.”

You’ve had plenty of opportunities for these exciting challenges this season. Mann started five of Cardiff’s six matches, leading the Rugby United Championship in tackles with 81.

He knows that statistic, but it doesn’t particularly bother him.

“I don’t really look at the statistics,” he says. “I just focus on what’s best for the team and try to do that. Gethin (Jenkins, defensive backs coach) is here now, he’s really worked with us and it shows. I want to defend, I want to put my body on the field. line I worked a lot with Gethin and he was working on something with me.

“That’s what I like. I feel like I’m improving a little bit every game. I know I’m going to make mistakes, but I’m just trying to correct them game by game.

“I just try to work hard and then I just look for opportunities, whether it’s failing or working hard on defense. Offensively, I feel like I can add that little difference.

“Admittedly, I’m not as big as some of the other guys, so I use my footwork as a differentiator. He becomes more involved. The more involved I am in things, the more impact I have to create.” For the team. “It’s just hard work and taking advantage of opportunities.”

That work ethic has not gone unnoticed at the Arms Park. Not only are his efforts rewarded with numerous opportunities, but he is beginning to attract the attention of veteran players in the Welsh capital.

“Honestly, he was brilliant,” offensive line coach Scott Andrews said. “I think he was ready for this opportunity for some time and grabbed it with both hands.

“He has improved physically. Play with six. His work rate has always been there. The question is always whether you can physically climb up, especially in the last row, depending on your age. Honestly, against the teams we played in the South African teams he improved physically.

“Things like being strong up front, the work that goes unnoticed, was good. The assembly part was fantastic. “He made a big impression on some of the kids in the group, some of the older ones, based on the conversations I had with them.”

Impressing veteran players would mean a lot to Mann, considering many of them would have been his childhood heroes.

Having started out at Cardiff City’s academy as best friends with Bluebirds youth product Isaac Davies, Mann may have excelled at football more than rugby.

However, given his way of not backing down against giant strikers, it is no surprise that he admits he may have been “too hard on football”.

“A lot of (cards),” said the former defender about his time with the round ball. “I think it was a problem. My father stood outside the entire time with his head in his hands. There were a lot of fast guys to drag around.”

Having “kicked his ass from football” to rugby, something that was “second nature” to him, he soon caught up with his idols.

Not only did he admire Irish star Peter O’Mahony for his leadership, but also the Cardiff trio of Taulupe Faletau, Thomas Young and Ellis Jenkins. Now he is your teammate.

“Toby, I’ve been watching him for years and wondering how he did it,” adds Mann. “I’m very lucky to be in the position I’m in now. Thomas Young and Ellis Jenkins were very good to me, giving me guidance before, after and during the game. I really am like a sponge, I try to absorb everything, but I also try to express my point of view.

“In a way, I was lucky that the last row was made up like this. I try to take advantage of every opportunity I have and try to learn everything I can from them. Competition in the back row is good for everyone, we get along well with each other.

“As for me, as long as I give 100 percent of everything I have and do the best I can, because as soon as I leave the business, other people enter. That’s trying to have fun and also work as hard as you can to get some games.

“I feel like I like proving myself, especially to the guys, proving that I’m good enough and that I can do the job. Like Bubba (Andrews) said, I’ve probably been thinking about this for a while. .. When the opportunity arose and all I wanted was to take advantage and give everything for the boys.

“I really enjoy it. That’s what you want as a player: to get some game time. I’m very lucky to have a run of games. I believe 100 percent that everything happens for a reason.

“Opportunities appear and we have to take advantage of them. Doing everything I can to make sure I’m ready to play. “I did everything in my power to go out and do my best for the team.”