Sadly, USA’s Baker and Isles are faster, says Senatla
SEABELO SENATLA is known for his blistering pace. The Blitzbok flyer boasts a personal best time of 10.40 seconds for the 100 metres, and once upon a time ran at the SA junior track and field championships. In a sense, he is faster than your girlfriend’s opinion of your ex.
So it’s a tad scary when Senatla says that USA Sevens speedsters Carlin Isles and Perry Baker are faster than him.
The US duo seem to be on the radar of every defender on the Sevens World Series circuit after leaving opposition players for dead in Dubai last weekend.
And, suddenly, because of the likes of Isles and Baker, the Eagles have emerged as a big threat in the abbreviated form of the game, and will definitely be one of the favourites to win gold at next year’s Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.
“They are quite phenomenal, they are very, very fast,” Senatla said yesterday at a Blitzbok signing session at the Waterfront. “Those type of players, if you let them take the outside gap, they are going to punish you because they were athletes before. They are quicker than me, sadly!”
The Eagles beat the Blitzboks in their Cup quarterfinal meeting last weekend in Dubai, and also defeated New Zealand twice.
This weekend, in the Cape Town leg, the South Africans could face the USA in another Cup knockout showdown. And one would think that revenge would be on the cards, especially for Senatla, whose yellow card in last week’s quarter-final cost South Africa the match.
“Revenge is not the way we like to think about it. But I think (we owe them a little bit). But as a team we would like to focus on us more than any other people,” Senatla said.
The Blitzboks have certainly been busy over the last week with various public relations exercises, and they have built up the “gees” in the Mother City over the last few days.
“It’s the same as PE, there was a whole lot of buzz going on (there) as well. Whenever we play in South Africa – we play once – and the people can’t wait to watch us live,” Senatla said.
Meanwhile, Blitzbok coach Neil Powell says that the injury withdrawals of Cecil Afrika and Werner Kok have given Cheslin Kolbe a chance to show off his full array of skill, athleticism and panache .
“Seeing that Cecil is not there, it’s an opportunity for Cheslin to step up and take the lead, and the responsibility, for being the playmaker and decision-maker in the team,” Powell said yesterday.
“I’m very happy with Cheslin. Last year, he played for us in Port Elizabeth but he was a little bit unsure of himself. Now, he’s playing with a lot of confidence.”
Afrika (hamstring) and Kok (knee) have had to step out of selection contention this week. Powell confirmed that the former is only expected to miss the Cape Town leg of the season, but Kok is set for a longer spell on the sidelines.
Sevens rookie Dylan Sage and Rosco Speckman were expected to be the two changes to the 12-man squad set to be named today.