Seabelo Senatla is keen to put the Stormers’ new ideas into action in their Vodacom URC opener against defending champions Leinster on Friday
The Stormers have the rare opportunity of playing their opening two matches at Cape Town Stadium, and want to make it count ahead of their European tour.
“It’s been a couple of weeks that we’ve been working hard, and trying some new things,” said Senatla. “We’re also super excited because we have some beautiful plans. We just have to trust our bodies now and execute.”
The winger is among the few players to have had some game time heading into the new season. He was part of the Western Province team that beat the Boland Cavaliers in the final round of the Currie Cup league stage, and also scored two tries for the Stormers in the warm-up match against the Sharks in George.
“I’m pretty happy with where I’m at. There’s still a lot of rust and you can see there’s still a bit of sharpening to do, so the work is not done yet. But overall, it’s a beautiful place to be now and the fruits we’re seeing already, is really satisfying.
The former Blitzbok flyer says the inaugural champions are eager to start well against the defending champions.
“The challenge is great, and that in-turn makes the opportunity great too. The Stormers have kinda been synonymous with slow starts, but we’re trying to change that. We’re always good at home, and with The Faithful around, it always helps and hopefully it counts in our favour.”
The Stormers will have to cope without some of their star players for the opening few rounds of the URC, as Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach are all away on Springbok duty while Bok prop Ntuthuko Mchunu will miss the opening two matches due to injury.
However, Currie Cup winners Gurshwin Wehr, Dylan Maart and Caleb Abrahams will all join the Stormers on loan from Griquas for the campaign.
With regular captain Salmaan Moerat still out injured and only likely to be back after the Stormers’ European tour, the new captain will be named on Thursday.
