Seabelo Mohanoe Senatla, born on 10 February 1993, is a talented South African rugby player known for his remarkable try-scoring ability. He primarily plays as a winger and has represented various teams including the South African Sevens Side, Stormers in Super Rugby, and Western Province in the Currie Cup.
Senatla's rugby journey began during his school days at Riebeeckstad High School in Welkom, where he excelled and earned selection for the Griffons side in the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week tournament in 2009. He continued to impress and participated in the Under-18 Academy Week tournament in 2010. Senatla also played for the Griffons U19 side in the 2011 Under-19 Provincial Championship, making a significant impact by scoring four tries in eight starts.
In 2012, Senatla moved to Bloemfontein and joined the CUT Ixias university team, competing in the 2012 Varsity Shield competition. He displayed his try-scoring prowess as they reached the final, although they narrowly lost to Wits. His impressive performances continued in the Free State U19 side during the 2012 Under-19 Provincial Championship, where he scored seven tries in eight starts, including two hat-tricks against SWD U19 and the Leopards U19. Senatla's form earned him a spot in the Free State U21 side, where he scored one try in five appearances during the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship.
Senatla's electrifying speed and skills caught the attention of the Blitzbokke, the South African Sevens team. He signed a two-year contract with SARU to compete on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit in 2013 and 2014. He made his debut at the 2013 Wellington Sevens tournament and represented South Africa in various tournaments. Senatla also played in the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens and contributed to the team's gold medal win at the 2013 World Games in Cali.
Not only did Senatla excel in sevens rugby, but he also showcased his abilities in the 15-man game. He signed a contract with SARU that allowed him to play for Western Province in the Currie Cup. In 2014, he made his Super Rugby debut for the Stormers, who are aligned with Western Province. He also played a crucial role in their Currie Cup victory that year.
Senatla's talent and achievements continued to grow, and he was selected for the South African squad that competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He started in their opening match against Spain, scoring a try as South Africa emerged victorious with a 24-0 win. Later that year, he was recognized for his outstanding performances by winning the World Rugby Men's Sevens Player of the Year award, thanks to his impressive try-scoring record in the 2015-16 series and his contributions at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
As the all-time leading try-scorer for the Springbok Sevens, Senatla's talent and dedication to the sport have earned him a two-year contract extension with Western Province in April 2021. His pace, try-scoring ability, and commitment make him a formidable player who has the potential to become
KG(17/05/2023)
Career
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Stormers Left Wing |
2014 - present |
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South Africa U20's Left Wing |
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South Africa A Left Wing |
2017 - 2020 |
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South Africa 7's Fullback |
2014 - 2020 |
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Riebeeckstad High School Left Wing |
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Barbarians Left Wing |
2022 - 2023 |
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Western Province Left Wing |
2014 - 2024 |
