Last month picked up the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award after scoring 66 tries during a memorable 2015-16 season.
In what was a tumultuous year for the 23-year-old South African, many believed Osea Kolinisau – another star operating at an immense level – deserved the accolade after captaining Fiji to a first Olympian gold medal and a second World Sevens Series crown.
But if there was any doubt about where the award went, it was nullified in Dubai this weekend as Senatla crossed the line for 11 tries and looked virtually unmarkable during the Blitzboks’ successful campaign.
At 6’1 and only 76kg, he possesses frightening pace and power. Against Wales in the semi-final he scored three first-half tries, with his first five metres taking him past two players at a time. It’s scary to think a winger competing at this level can make it look so easy.
To see the extent of his ability first-hand Saturday also proves his all-round class. Not only can he beat opponents and score tries, but he is also solid in defence and demonstrated this when holding up a series of attacks against Wales and Fiji, at points in the game when South Africa were under pressure.
In most teams – amateur and professional – a lethal winger can sometimes be a weak tackler, but Senatla’s freakish ability to be strong in attack and defence highlights his status as the best player in sevens rugby.
When South Africa stepped out against Fiji in the final, it was always going to be a gripping encounter. Fresh from winning gold at the Olympics, the Islanders were brimming with confidence as they eyed a fifth Dubai crown.
But the South Africans were optimistic as well with Senatla at the fore, and the man from Welkom provided the assist to send Cecil Afrika over for the opening try after two minutes.
At 14-14 in the second-half, a cleverly weighed kick over the top was collected by Senatla and he brushed through unopposed from 20 metres to score an 11th tournament try and seal a thrilling win for the Blitzboks.
A former South African U20 star, Senatla has Super Rugby experience after lining out six times for the Stormers. A central part of an impressive Blitzbloks outfit, he recently signed a joint contract between the SA Rugby and the WP Rugby Union for the next three years and will link up again with the Stormers in January.
Sevens has always taken his preference, but with the Springboks struggling under Allister Cotzee, could 2017 be the year we see the most devastating finisher in the game line out for the 15s side?
It may be too early to get excited, but Senatla’s superiority in Dubai shows a player with the complete array of skills required to thrive at any level.
