Kolbe: Every now and then I pinch myself to see if this is real
Is there anything Cheslin Kolbe can’t do on a rugby field?
The Springbok star is again putting himself into the debate around the ‘best pound-for-pound’ player in the world for his consistent eye-catching displays for the world champions, and he was at it again in last weekend’s 18-12 Rugby Championship triumph over the All Blacks.
Kolbe had the 55 000-strong capacity Cape Town Stadium crowd on their feet when he went on a typically mazy run through the New Zealand defence in the 18th minute, after a line-out steal by Ruan Nortjé.
It was one of many missed scoring opportunities for the South Africans as Kolbe’s offload just wasn’t able to be controlled by Pieter-Steph du Toit 10m from the tryline.
The 30-year-old speedster kept on putting himself about and chasing Grant Williams’ pinpoint box-kicks, and then he did the unthinkable: feeding a 5m line-out early in the second half that ended with captain Siya Kolisi dotting down.
Another major contribution was his chase of Jaden Hendrikse’s chip, which saw him taken out off-the-ball by All Black tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax, who received a yellow card after 73 minutes.
Kolbe wasn’t done yet as he attempted a late drop goal that went wide, but the Boks held on for a memorable victory that secured the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009.
“The last time we won it, I was in Grade 10 – I watched it on TV back in 2009!” Kolbe said this week, after being announced as a brand ambassador for petroleum giant Engen, along with Bok teammates Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth, and former loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira.
“So, to be a part of a team that got to win another trophy ... When coach Rassie (Erasmus) and coach Jacques (Nienaber) took over in 2018, and Siya became the first black captain, I was in the stands supporting him and watching him, as I wasn’t a part of the team yet.
“A month later, I then got drawn up into the team, and to be a part of that five-, six-year cycle under Coach Rassie, I’ve learnt so much and developed so much, on and off the field.
“I can just say that the Springboks are in a good place. What Rassie has done in such a short period of time, and getting us to win trophies just shows what he believes in South Africa and each and every player ...
“For us, we just never want to disappoint the jersey, the coaches that believe in us and give us those opportunities.”
Kolbe also officially launched the Cheslin Kolbe Foundation on Sunday night, and said that being part of the Engen family would assist his organisation to achieve its goals too.
“Still, every now and then I pinch myself to see if this is real. I just want to enjoy myself and continue to contribute to the green-and- gold jersey, to the country and to each and every South African – to showcase the talent I was given for those out there who supported me and believed in me when others didn’t believe in me,” he said.
“People wrote me off at a time, and for just hanging in there and pushing me and giving me that motivation to not give up ... I can only be thankful for them, and to each and every South African for representing this country and supporting the Springbok team.”