Katlego Letebele debuted for the Blitzboks at the season opener in Dubai in December, entering the fray with no fear or favour and nothing else on their mind but to contribute to a winning effort, not being burdened by previous struggles in the Far East.
“I just want to contribute to the team,” Letebele explained. “I did not expect to be part of every tournament so far, given that I had to learn the tricks of the trade when I joined the squad last year. So, looking back, it is a blessed feeling knowing that I have progressed and learned so much in the last six months.”
Letebele feels that he has been contributing, whether on the field or off the bench: “I have a simple attitude, everything I do as part of the team, I want to contribute. Whether I am on the field starting a match or coming off the bench late in a game, I am doing whatever is needed from me to add to the team effort.”
Last year this time, Letebele was admiring the skills of some of the senior players, and now he is feeding them attacking options and making tackles alongside them.
“I would not have dreamt any of this when I joined the sevens,” he said. “Here I am, travelling the world, representing my country and fighting hard alongside a great group of guys doing their best for the badge. That is massive for me.”
Letebele’s path has been made easier thanks to the input and encouragement from the senior players: “That has been massive. They really helped me getting to grips with the demands of sevens and to adjust to the insane pace of the game. This is a good time to return the favour.”
