South Africa’s time to shine in sevens, says try-wizard Senatla
SINGAPORE – He’s the reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year and the Blitzboks’ all-time leading try scorer. Now, Seabelo Senatla is looking to take the success he has had in the shortened format to the 15-a-side game, starting with the Stormers in the Super Rugby series.
SINGAPORE – He’s the reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year and the Blitzboks’ all-time leading try scorer.
Now, Seabelo Senatla is looking to take the success he has had in the shortened format to the 15-a-side game, starting with the Stormers in the Super Rugby series.
The 24-year-old, dubbed the “Wizard from Welkom” during his time with the South African rugby sevens side, is in Singapore ahead of the Stormers’ clash with the Sunwolves this Saturday (Mar 25).
The dread-locked star showed off his blistering speed during a training session on Tuesday afternoon (Mar 21) at the Padang and was also seen putting in some extra work after his team-mates wrapped up.
After Senatla was done with his hour and a half in the scorching sun, he spoke to TODAY about his transition to the 15s, as well as what he thinks about Singapore.
What is your training regimen like?
We don't do much when we are on tour, so maybe now (it will be) like a gym session in the morning… and (then) one training session. You have your team meetings in between, and you have your own quiet time, (where) you check out the games and do your own review and analysis. We don't do much, we try to actually minimise everything, so that you are 100 per cent and fresh for the weekend.
How has the transition to the 15s been like for you?
I am still making a few mistakes in certain areas of the game - one that I am struggling a lot on is positioning, especially when they kick. When they play on attack… I tend to be up (the field) a lot because I favour being up. In the sevens, we close (down) a little bit (more) and you try to take away the (opponents’) space, it's like a habit. Now, I have to adjust my game and try to chill out.
But we are getting there, very slowly and I like the fact that I've got a little bit of time to actually adjust my game and not be thrown into the deep end... see how it is and try to get my game right.
But it's (the 15s and the sevens formats) not so different, to be quite honest. It feels like it’s different game altogether...but at the end of the day, it's the same rules, so we just have to figure out where the space is and try to manipulate the space - that's the whole aim of the game.
I feel like sevens gave me the skillset to actually have that frame of mind to actually define and visualise space very quickly.
What are your ultimate goals? Is it to be Player of the Year, to go to the Rugby World Cup?
I am not putting so much pressure on myself. This year, the aim is to do well with the Stormers and get a starting berth, and from there, we turn to move on to the (Spring)Bok (national team). I was in the Bok group once upon a time but I didn't get the chance to play, so I believe this is my time to play now...get that jersey at the Boks and try to fulfil my dream.
Have you been following the Blitzboks in the HSBC World Sevens Series? Can they win it?
They are doing very well, it literally feels unreal. It's not easy getting to the final, the guys have got into every single final since the series started, I am not even talking about winning or losing, because that's another thing. Making the final in every single tournament is an achievement, they are doing pretty well, I am so proud of it.
We've been working really hard, had been struggling for two to three years when I was there. We started building and laying the foundations, and now the fruit is coming.
Yes, I am very hopeful. I know the boys are not thinking like that… We don't think too much ahead, we just think about what we got to do next, and not looking too far ahead. You have to have a goal, yes, but also a focus and the short-term focus for us is the next game.
But I am very hopeful they are going to take the series this year, I believe it's the boys' turn to shine now.
What do you remember about Singapore? You were here last year for the world rugby sevens.
(Chuckles) What I remember specifically is the heat, the humidity and the cleanliness of the place! I always get amazed at it (cleanliness) and those are the three things that I think about when I think of Singapore.
Last year, we went to the adventure park, Sentosa, rode the fake waves a little bit, tried the rides, zip-lined, and got the chance to chill out.
We do get a chance to walk around but you don’t want to walk too much. Once you step out of the hotel, it's like the heat overwhelms you!