Seabelo Senatla is set to fire a few shots at the Melbourne Rebels to ensure that he is able to play a part in helping the Stormers to “win this thing” in the Super Rugby play-offs.
“Apart from international level, Super Rugby is the highest level of 15-man rugby so it will be good for me to get some experience with the Stormers,” said the 22-year-old who huddled briefly with the media yesterday after the SA Sevens squad landed at Cape Town International on a flight from London, where the Blitzboks wrapped up their 2014/2015 Sevens World Series campaign on Sunday.
“I’m really keen to join up with the guys and play a little bit of Super Rugby with them and go on to the knockout stages and hopefully win this thing.”
However, because Senatla was committed to SA Sevens duty for much of the season, he was not listed on the Stormers’ official 40-man squad. He must, according to Sanzar policy, make at least four appearances during the league phase to qualify for selection in the play-offs. Including the Rebels clash, the Stormers only have four matches remaining on their league schedule.
“I’d have loved to rope (Senatla) in, but I don’t know where he is physically and mentally,” coach Allister Coetzee said on Monday when asked whether he intended to recall the Sevens speedster this week.
Senatla said in turn: “Physically, I am really tired, because I just played Sevens and that’s a whole lot of strain to the body but after a day or two I’ll be alright again.
“I’ve got a small injury to the thigh. We’ll do a medical review on that and if I’m fit to play then I think there’s nothing really stopping me from playing on Saturday because, mentally, I’m really prepared.
“I went on (Sevens) tour knowing that this is going to happen – that I’m going to come back and the Stormers are going to want me because we had a chat before (I left) – so, mentally, I’ve prepared myself really well, and I’m good.
“If I’m good, physically, then nothing is really stopping me from playing, and I’m really excited to play a little bit of Super Rugby.” As far as finishers go, not since JP Pietersen earned a Springbok debut in 2006 has a blue-chip prospect of Senatla’s pedigree burst on to the SA rugby scene.
He torched his opponents on the Sevens circuit for a series-high 47 tries and has been shortlisted, along with teammate Werner Kok, for the World Rugby Sevens player of the year award. Even though Coetzee is justified in his reluctance to rush the youngster back into action straight off the plane, Senatla need only make a last-minute appearance off the bench against the Rebels to keep his play-off hopes alive.
And, as far as the Stormers are concerned, the difference between fielding Senatla on the wing, instead of a moonlighting centre, could be the difference between contesting the Super Rugby final and dissecting another semi-final defeat.