Watch out Kolbe and co! Senatla still has Springbok dream
And he's giving up quite a bit of money to pursue that goal.
Seabelo Senatla of Western Province on the attack during the Currie Cup match between DHL Western Province and Phakisa Pumas at DHL Newlands Stadium on August 09, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images)
Blitzbok speedster Seabelo Senatla is determined to force his way into the Springbok 15-a-side team.
Senatla has become a superstar on the sevens circuit, scoring 224 tries in 203 matches for the Blitzboks, leaving him fourth overall on the World Rugby Sevens Series try-scorers list.
The 26-year-old Senatla has tried his hand in 15s rugby in recent seasons, playing on the wing for the Stormers in Super Rugby.
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However, he hasn’t quite reached the same lofty heights in the premier format, with a combination of indifferent form and niggles robbing him of an opportunity to stamp his authority.
The past though won’t deter him in reaching his goals.
“Seabelo is absolutely convinced that he can become a Springbok. That is his focus. He is actually discounting quite a bit in terms of wages to be able to do that. I hope he makes it. He is really keen,” Stormers coach John Dobson said during a media briefing at the team’s High Performance Centre in Bellville.
Senatla, along with Stormers team-mate Ruhan Nel, will play for Blitzboks in the first two World Rugby Sevens events in Dubai (December 5-7) and Cape Town (December 13-15), before committing to the Stormers for Super Rugby.
Dobson said midfielder Nel could leave later in the season if he cracks the nod for South Africa’s Tokyo Olympic team.
“We’ve got Angelo Davids, Ruhan and Seabelo. Angelo is staying with the Sevens for the whole season, while Seabelo and Ruhan will join us at our pre-season camp after the Cape Town Sevens. Seabelo will be with us full-time. If he gets selected, Ruhan will go to the Olympics and miss the Super Rugby playoffs,” Dobson added.
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