Not even a missing tooth and a limp will stop Senatla

SEABELO SENATLA walked into the international arrivals hall at Cape Town International Airport with a bit of limp and a missing tooth.

But the Springbok Sevens star confidently proclaimed that he would be ready to play for the Stormers against the Rebels at Newlands this weekend if called upon to do so.

“Yeah, there’s nothing actually stopping me from playing if I’m called upon for the Stormers,” he said with a smile that’s missing a front tooth after a training ground accident a few weeks ago.

However, the Blitzboks’ coach Neil Powell doesn’t seem too keen to watch his prized try scorer run out at Newlands this weekend following two gruelling weeks in the last two tournaments of the Sevens World Series in Glasgow and London.

The Blitzboks finished second in the overall standings after leading the way up until the completion of the penultimate tournament in Scotland. Fiji eventually took the honours, but the South Africans managed to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio.

Senatla, who was chosen in the Sevens Series’ “Dream Team” and topped the tryscorers list, is contracted to both Western Province Rugby and SA Rugby.

Under normal circumstances, coach Allister Coetzee and the Stormers would give the player a week or two off to recharge the batteries. But Senatla has to play in all four of the Stormers’ remaining matches to be eligible for possible playoff matches.

The first of those four matches is this weekend’s clash against the Rebels.

But the Stormers are currently also consulting with Sanzar to try and find out if they can make an exception because Senatla has been on international duty.

“There’s been discussions and emails been going around between Rassie (Erasmus) and myself and the Stormers. We are still busy discussing whether we are going to release Seabelo,” Powell told the Cape Times at the airport last night.

“He will have medicals tomorrow morning to see if he is ready to play.”

Senatla, though, seems excited about the prospect of playing for the Stormers this weekend following breakthrough performances in the 15-man game in last season’s Currie Cup.

Top performances for the Stormers and WP may also open the door for Springbok selection. He already accompanied the national side on their tour of Europe in November last year.

“I’m always ready to play rugby. I think the fact that I enjoy it so much, I would never back down from playing rugby – if I’m fit that is,” the Welkom-born flyer said.

“The Sevens circuit has really toughened me up, because of the physical impact on your body. Playing Sevens has really helped me become stronger and a mentally stable player.

“I had so much fun playing for Western Province in the Currie Cup, the guys are great and it’s awesome to be around that set-up. For me it’s exciting to play in that jersey and to represent that union.”

Senatla says the shift from Sevens to the 15-man game is difficult, but it’s not the first time that he has had to adjust in a short space of time.

“They are very different to each other. But in the end we all play with the same ball.

“As soon as I have that oval shape ball in my hand, everything will come naturally to me.”