"Rugby is about more than just the game; it’s about building a community and making a difference off the field." - Seabelo Senatla
Cape Town, March 28, 2025 - UWC Rugby’s collaboration with DKMS Africa led by DHL Stormers Rugby player and DKMS Africa ambassador Seabelo Senatla helps raise vital awareness and drives meaningful action to support those battling blood cancer and disorders. This collaboration serves as a reminder that the impact of sport goes far beyond the field, offering hope and saving lives in the process. We recently sat down for a chat with Seabelo Senatla following the collaboration announcement.
Seabelo, what inspired the collaboration with UWC Rugby?
At the heart of this collaboration is a simple but powerful truth: rugby is more than just a sport, it’s a community. The UWC Rugby team represents resilience, heart, and the power of young people to lead change. By working together, we can turn that energy into action for patients fighting blood cancer and blood disorders.
How does this partnership support the mission to increase stem cell donor registrations?
Through this collaboration, we’re sharing knowledge and breaking down the fears and misconceptions that often hold people back from registering. We educate the broader sports fraternity about blood cancer, blood disorders, and available treatments, empowering them to make informed decisions about stem cell donation.
What impact do you hope to achieve through this collaboration?
We hope through this collaboration we want to shift mindsets. We want players, students, and supporters to walk away from this collaboration knowing that they have the power to help save lives. If just one UWC Rugby player, fan, or student registers and ends up being a match for a patient, that’s a life saved. But we believe this collaboration will do even more, creating a ripple effect where conversations about stem cell donation become normal, inspiring more people to take action.
Why is it important for sports teams and athletes to advocate for causes like blood cancer awareness?
As athletes, we have a platform and a voice that people listen to. We inspire through our actions, on and off the field. In a sport like rugby, where brotherhood and unity are everything, what better way to live those values than by stepping up for patients who need a second chance at life?
How can this collaboration help overcome some of the most common challenges faced about registering?
Many people don’t register because they think donating is painful, risky, or invasive, which isn’t true. Others also have traditional beliefs because blood is sacred so their decision to not register could be the difference between life and death for someone battling blood cancer. That’s where collaborations like this are crucial. When a trusted voice speaks out and leads by example, people listen. It makes the message feel real, relatable, and urgent.
How can the broader community, beyond rugby, support DKMS Africa’s efforts?
You don’t have to be a rugby player to make a difference. If you’re between 17 and 55 and in good health, you can register as a potential donor. If you’ve already registered, help us spread the word: talk about it, share it on social media, and bring it up in conversations. Businesses, schools, churches, and any space where people gather, can help us host drives and encourage more to register. Every voice matters in this fight.
What future initiatives are planned to enhance awareness and donor recruitment?
We’re continuously working on new ways to engage young people. We want to take this message to schools, workplaces, and anywhere we can have conversations about the urgency of registering as a donor.
What is the key message for young people considering stem cell donation, and how does this collaboration help amplify it?
You have the power to help save lives. It’s not about being a hero in the traditional sense, but being there for someone who desperately needs you. This collaboration with the UWC Rugby team makes that message louder and more relatable. It shows that stepping up for this cause isn’t just about science, it’s about humanity, community, and standing together when it matters most.
Register today at https://www.dkms-africa.org/register-now.
Make a donation at https://www.dkms-africa.org/get-involved/donate-money
For more information, contact DKMS Africa on 0800 12 10 82.