Springbok Sevens superstar Seabelo Senatla might have reached two massive milestones on Day One of the Cape Town leg of the 2017/18 World Sevens Series, but it’s all about putting his “head down and grinding” to reach the ultimate team goal this weekend.
The event at the Cape Town Stadium is the 24-year-old’s 35th tournament, and in their second fixture of the day against France, he also scored his 200th World Sevens Series try to become only the fifth player in history to do so.
And both of those moments the speedster could only describe as “surreal”.
“To play in your 35th (tournament) and to get your 200th try is pretty special, it’s actually surreal. As a player you don’t get much of those, so it’s one for the books I think.”
Seabelo Senatla talks about reaching different milestones at the Cape Town Sevens.
“Everything is extra special – playing in my 35th at home and getting the 200th (try) and everything that’s happening now. It’s the cherry on the cake. It’s nice to eat the cake, but that cherry is just so much sweeter.”
“It’s great to be involved in team where personal accolades don’t mean that much…they mean something, but they don’t count that much, it’s the team ones we’re looking for. And that’s what we need to do in Cape Town. So for me it’s all about putting my head down and grinding.”
The moment @Seabelo_Senatla hit 200 tries, becoming the fastest player ever to do so in just 35 tournaments pic.twitter.com/ZiNZZiOJuN
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 9, 2017
Regarding the Blitzboks’ opening match against Russia and running onto the field for his 35th tournament, Senatla said: “It was electric, I can’t describe the pride you feel as an athlete. It’s amazing, and just to see the fans get up and cheer like that for my 35th…it’s literally something I will savour my whole life.”