Senatla credits teammates for record

Seabelo Senatla says breaking the Blitzboks' all-time try-scoring record would not have been possible without his teammates. Photo: File

Seabelo Senatla says breaking the Blitzboks' all-time try-scoring record would not have been possible without his teammates. Photo: File

Published Jan 30, 2017

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CAPE TOWN - There was nothing magical about Seabelo Senatla’s record 180th try for the Blitzbokke in the final of the Wellington Sevens against Fiji on Sunday. He didn’t celebrate with a trademark move, didn’t take off his shirt or do a somersault after dotting down for the five-pointer.

It was business as usual for the humble Senatla after a strong run from Kwagga Smith set up a switch between Senatla and skipper Philip Snyman for the speedster to eclipse Fabian Juries as the all-time leading scorer for the Blitzbokke.

At the time, South Africa drew level 5-5 in the final against Fiji, who knocked out hosts New Zealand in the quarterfinal.

The Fijians, though, proved no match for the Blitzbokke as they steamrolled their way to a 26-5 win to break a 15-year drought for the South Africans in Wellington.

Senatla, who also won the Player of the Final, says he will never forget his special moment at the Westpac Stadium.

“I think I’ll never forget this moment - scoring the [record-breaking] try in the final is something special - especially in New Zealand where we haven’t won in 15 years," he said.

“I thought about it [the record] in the previous game when I equalled it, but I was fully focused on the task at hand [in the final].

“I didn’t think at the moment it was special, but as I sit down it will come back to me and I will fathom how big this is.”

True to form, Senatla credits his teammates for the accolade, saying: “A player is nothing without the team.

“My teammates make me because all the work is done before I get the ball.

“I am happy that I play with these type of magicians. They work for each other as brothers, I’m just one of the lucky ones, I guess.”

The Daily Voice

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