Stormers wing Seabelo Senatla says a dressing room where players are free to be themselves is behind the team’s strong run in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
The 33-year-old told IOL Sport that the squad wants to win the title. The Cape Town side last won the URC in 2022.
“We want to be successful, and we believe we have the tools and the personnel to actually be successful. We’re trying to turn ourselves from a ‘should’ team, because of the players we have on paper, into a ‘do’ team,” Senatla said.
He did not want to make any firm predictions. “We honestly hope so, you can never know, but that’s what we’re working towards,” he said when asked about winning the championship.
The Stormers have added Springbok players to their squad, along with a group of fast young players who came through their own system.
Senatla said the quick, attacking rugby the team plays at the DHL Stadium comes from the mood in the change room. He said players are not forced to fit one mould.
“I think the way we’re playing is a result of the change room. Everybody is free to be ourselves. We understand that power comes in diversity, and we’re doing a lot of work behind the scenes trying to refine our culture,” he said.
“All of that translates onto the field because if you’re free outside of it, you’ll be very free on the inside as well,” Senatla added.
He said the team is proud of its Western Province identity and has no plans to change it. “We’re not trying to switch identity at all, we actually want to cement ourselves in that place because we are representing Cape Town,” he said.
Senatla named director of rugby John Dobson as the main driver of this culture. Dobson is a Capetonian who is known for using history and World War stories in his team talks before matches.
“He’s massive in that, he’s the driver of it. Dobbo is a Western Province man; I don’t think that guy will ever coach anywhere else, to be very honest with you,” Senatla said.
“He feels so much for this team and this place, he’s deeply rooted,” he added.
Senatla said Dobson is also given the freedom to be himself. “He likes war stories, and he tries to marry all of those things with how we’re going to approach the game,” he said.
“I feel like he’s one of the smartest people around. How he marries those stories or concepts to how we approach the game during the week changes all the time. It’s incredible to see,” Senatla said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.