WHAT A BLESSING!

Seabelo Senatla tells of his joy at being named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year

FOR most people getting a phone call at 4 am can only mean bad news – but for Patricia Senatla it was a cause for wild celebration. “Mom, I got it! We’re the best in the world!” Patricia’s son, Blitzbok sensation Seabelo Senatla, was on the phone from London telling her he’d just been named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year.

“My mom went crazy,” Seabelo says. “I celebrate in a calmer way than she does. We’re used to her screaming when she gets excited.”

Everyone in the house was awoken by Patricia’s elated shrieks and there was no chance of any more sleep.

“It’s a great privilege,” Seabelo says. “I didn’t expect it. What a blessing.”

The 23-year-old winger was nominated in the same category last year but the honour then went to his national teammate Werner Kok – and it only motivated Seabelo to try even harder in the 2016 season.

“It gave me the confidence to do more. God had a plan for me and He never breaks his promises,” he says.

Seabelo was the leading try-scorer in the past World Series with 66 tries and scored the second most points with 330. He also had the most breaks where he thwarted his attacking opponent – 72.

He was deemed deserving of the award even though the Fijians, who won gold at the Olympic Games, were somewhat upset that one of their number didn’t get the accolade. The Blitzbokke won only bronze, they pointed out, going as far as issuing a statement detailing their disappointment.

But Seabelo wasn’t fazed. “Criticism motivates me,” he says. “My dad is very critical because he wants to push me forward. I take it positively and will fix whatever needs to be fixed.”

PATRICIA might have been delighted with Seabelo but the person who was proudest of his prize was his six-yearold son, Omphile, who lives with his grandparents in Welkom in the Free State. The boy knows his dad plays great rugby and when he visits him in Cape Town he copies Seabelo when he’s practising with his teammates.

“He drives me. He’s my responsibility. All my success is due to him,” Seabelo says.

Seabelo became a dad while he was at school. Initially it was a shock but what some would see as a “mistake” only motivated him.

He and the child’s mother agreed that Omphile would be raised by his grandparents. Seabelo’s father, Bery, is a colonel in the detective branch of the police and Patricia works at the department of education.

Seabelo says when his parents can’t be at the game when he plays, they’re glued to their TV set. When he scores a try his father sings and dances and his mom cries with pride and gratitude.

Seabelo, who was born in Welkom, played Craven Week rugby at school but also shone in athletics, particularly in the 100 m and 200 m sprints. After matric he attended Harmony Sports Academy in Virginia in the Free State.

SLEFT: Seabelo Senatla from Welkom in the Free State is the best player of 2016 in Sevens rugby. FAR LEFT: In action against England earlier this year.

Neil Powell, the Blitzbok coach, spotted him on the rugby field in Bloemfontein – and so began his Sevens career. Seabelo and his teammates now live together at the SA Sevens Academy in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape.

He misses the Free State but he’s happy to be a Stormer. “My contract is signed,” he says.

Because of his Sevens responsibilities he hasn’t really been that visible in the Stormers for the past few years. He still has a two-year contract with SA Rugby and may play more Super Rugby after 2018. For now he’s concentrating on the next big Sevens tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town.

“My advice to young players is that greatness is a choice. Even if you come from a small town, don’t limit yourself.”

It’s advice that’s stood him in pretty good stead.