Cape Town - Even though he is contracted to the Springbok Sevens side, star wing Seabelo Senatla says there is still a chance of him playing Super Rugby for the Stormers in 2016.
Senatla was named in the 12-man Blitzbok squad for the next two World Rugby Sevens Series events in Wellington (January 30-31) and Sydney (February 6-7), and is a talisman of the team.
Speed king Senatla will be one of the key figures in the Bok Sevens side in their bid for gold at the Rio Olympics in August, but with the World Series circuit ending in late May in London, there be an opportunity for Senatla to play in the last three Stormers games after the June Test break, as well as in the Super Rugby playoff stages if the Cape side are in contention.
Senatla has a unique dual contract with the SA Rugby Union and Western Province, which sees him play the entire Sevens season and return to WP for the Currie Cup. But sometimes he is also available to the Stormers at the end of the Sevens season.
He plays almost all year round as a result, but feels in good shape. “It comes with the territory, it’s about being young. I enjoy rugby so much that I want to play all the time. But they do manage me well at the Sevens and at Western Province. They always chat to each other to make sure that I remain fresh,” Senatla said at the Blitzbok squad announcement in Stellenbosch this week.
“I haven’t really spoken to Fleckie (Stormers interim coach Robbie Fleck) for a while. There is a rotational plan in process (at the Bok Sevens side), but we will see how it turns out. I think the Olympics will be the priority, and if coach Neil (Powell) says I must rest, then I will do that.
“But if he says I can get some game time (with the Stormers), then I might (play Super Rugby). It will happen because of him and it is all about his decisions, looking at the bigger picture of the Olympics and nothing else.”
Senatla is confident that the Blitzboks can continue their good form in Wellington and Sydney after winning the Cape Town Sevens in December.
“We have a lot of momentum from the Cape Town tournament, and the guys are eager to start the new year. It’s almost like it’s a new season and that Cape Town isn’t part of this season,” he said after the players paraded in their new playing jerseys as well.
“We haven’t won in Wellington for many years (last in 2002), but we are not thinking about that and want to change it. We just want to take it as another tournament.”
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