Seabelo Senatla shines despite Stormers’ defeat to Glasgow Warriors

The Stormers may have struggled for positives after their 36-18 humbling against the Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final on Friday, but winger Seabelo Senatla's performance was one of the silver linings to a dark cloud for head coach John Dobson.

Senatla's early yellow card at the Scotstoun Stadium in Scotland proved costly for the visitors from the Cape. In the time he was off the field, Glasgow scored two tries.

The former Springbok Sevens star seemed determined to make amends on his return from the bin, scoring two tries that brought his team right back into the match as he energised the Stormers attack.

He showed the kind of indomitable spirit that has seen him overcome personal tragedy. A horiffic car crash in 2023 sidelined him from the game for more than a year, threatening to end his career.

"Sabelo was magic. He was very obviously our best player," head coach Dobson said in the aftermath of the disappointing defeat.

"I'm very chuffed for him, given what he's been through. That was brilliant.

"I don't think we rolled over, we just made so many mistakes; Sasha running with ball and it just pops out of his hand. That was our evening." 

Rising prop Vernon Matongo was also singled out for special praise in a dominant Stormers pack that put in a strong shift in a losing cause. His performance also bodes well for the future, adding quality to the Stormers' prop stocks that were decimated this season.

"I think our scrum and Seabelo were the two silver linings to a very dark cloud," Dobson said.

"I think it is good, and some of the youngsters coming through. But I think what worried me was I felt that we didn't win the gain line.

"You can fix the line-out or the kicking plan. It worried me that we didn't dominate the collisions as much as we wanted to. But youngsters like Paul (de Villiers, the Stormers' No 6) will be better for that.

"In terms of broadening our depth, we've had a good season, but to fade like we did tonight is really disappointing."

Defending champions the Warriors have booked a place in next weekend's URC semi-final against Leinster in Ireland with the victory at home.

The Bulls will take on the Sharks at home at Loftus in a SA derby in the other semi-final. The Bulls fought back to dispatch Edinburgh at Loftus, while the Sharks needed a dramatic penalty shoot-out to see off Munster in Durban.