During the recent kit unveiling event at Cape Town Stadium, Senatla praised his future teammate, saying,
"If he’s not the greatest player at the moment … in my opinion at least … If he’s not up there in the top five, then I don’t know. Chessie is an amazing player."
Senatla continued to extoll Kolbe's prowess,
"He defensively scrambles, he’s up in the air, he’s competitive, he fights for every single inch. He’s deemed to be a small guy but he takes guys back. He’s a full package. He’s definitely a star signing for us."
The synergy between these players isn't just about talent but also about experience and intuition. Senatla believes that having Kolbe, who could also play as a fullback, is vital not just for himself but for the team's overall dynamics. Describing their partnership, he highlighted their instinctive play,
"Playing with someone like that, who is so instinctive, you can just read off each other purely on movement. A lot of the magic stuff will happen this year, and it’s exciting for us."
At a recent confrontation with the All Blacks, Senatla showcased his skills with a memorable try, sparked from a lineout move. Reflecting on the team’s performance, he noted,
"I feel like we’re on track. We had three weeks before we met the All Blacks, which is practically nothing."
He passionately expressed the team’s intent,
"We want to win games playing good rugby, that’s what we’re trying to aim for."
With his eyes on the prize, Senatla is adamant about utilizing the full spectrum of talent within the team, which he believes could be pivotal for the Stormers reclaiming their old flair of running the ball effectively.
"If we look at the amount of talent that's within the group, it would be a sin not to move that ball… the guys we have in the backline alone, it’s exciting. If we’re not moving the ball, we’re underperforming because we’re not utilising all the assets in our arsenal."
The Stormers look poised for an exciting season, with key players like Kolbe and Senatla leading the charge. The perfect blend of skill, experience, and tactical nous may very well spark a return to the glory days for the Cape Town squad.
