Will there be a blitz at Newlands?
WILL Seabelo Senatla be running onto the green grass of Newlands in the blue and white of the Stormers against the Rebels on Saturday?
Apparently, that could be entirely up to the flying winger himself if the Stormers coach Allister Coetzee’s comments are anything to go by.
Senatla was due to arrive back in Cape Town yesterday after the conclusion of the Sevens World Series. The Blitzboks finished second on the overall series standings, thanks largely to Senatla’s tries. And the flyer, who ended the series atop of the try-scorers’ list, has been nominated for the Sevens Player of the Year award along with compatriot Werner Kok.
Senatla was also one of the standout players for Western Province in their Currie Cup triumph last year, and was included in the Springbok touring party for their end of year trip to Europe.
Coetzee said yesterday he will have a chat with the Senatla to find out “where his head is at” following a gruelling fortnight with the Bok Sevens team in Glasgow and London.
Coetzee hinted yesterday that it might be better for Senatla to have the week off and recharge his batteries ahead of the Stormers’ last three matches against the Cheetahs, Lions and Sharks.
The problem is, though, that Senatla needs to play four matches in order to be eligible for the Super Rugby playoffs. And the Stormers certainly need a player of his awesome ability to try and make the final of the competition for the first time in five years.
Coetzee and his coaching staff are well aware of that rule, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone, not even the Rebels, if the Welkom speedster comes straight into the side in order to Friday Chiefs v Bulls, Rotorua 9.35am; Reds v Sharks, Brisbane, 11.40am. Saturday Blues v Hurricanes, Auckland, 9.35am, Waratahs v Crusaders, Sydney 11.40am, Force v Highlanders, Perth, 1.45pm, Cheetahs v Lions, Bloemfontein, 5.05pm, Stormers v Rebels, Cape Town 7.10pm. give the Stormers a bit of “XFactor” and a lot more bite on attack.
“I would love to rope him in. But you don’t know where Seabelo is mentally and his physical state,” Coetzee told the media yesterday. “According to the Sevens’ medical staff he has a slight thigh injury.
“They are landing today, and by tomorrow we will have a chat to Seabelo.
“We all know his ability. He is a game-breaker and he has got the X-Factor, but he first has to join up with the team to see where he is at.
“I don’t want to play him if he is 80 percent. At least I have time before we announce the team. I want him medically fit and mentally in the right frame of mind. But it’s not out of the question that he can play this weekend,” Coetzee added.
The Stormers, though, should strongly consider Senatla because of what he can bring to the table, even if it means starting this weekend’s match off the bench.
Tries have been hard to come by for the Stormers, because they haven’t been able convert their chances on attack.
Senatla is the sort of player who can convert a half chance into five, a match winner.
Match winners in South Africa are a scarce commodity at the moment, and Senatla is a match-winner in the mould of a Bryan Habana and Joost van der Westhuizen, a special player with an extraordinary ability to change the outcome of a match.
But he will also improve the Stormers’ defensive structure out wide, as he is good under the high ball, strong in the tackle brilliant at the breakdown.
The Stormers need these extraordinary skills to try and win the South African conference and secure a possible home semi-final.
But while Senatla may be a bit fatigued following his efforts in the United Kingdom over the last two weeks, the Stormers returned to training yesterday looking fresh following a bye.
Most of the players were in Knysna this weekend to take part one of the sponsors’ events. And it seems that they managed to take their mind off the task at hand and get away from rugby for a while.
But Coetzee’s conundrum is to identify matches to rest Duane Vermeulen and Eben Etzebeth (one match each), and Schalk Burger and Frans Malherbe (two matches each) as part of their agreement with SA Rugby. The coach confirmed yesterday that none of those players would be rested this weekend as the Stormers look to hit the ground running following their week off.
The Stormers, essentially, need to win their four remaining matches to win the South African Conference.
“The best possible side will play this weekend. The conference is really tight and we can’t afford to slip up,” Coetzee said yesterday.
“The rotation has helped a lot and kept the team fresh. For the next couple of games it’s important that the players who come off the bench do their job, and those who are starting must lay the foundation.”