Latest news with #Kolbe
TimesLIVE
29-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Kolbe shines through storm to power Boks to dominant win
Though clashes against the Barbarians are devoid of Test status the hunger to improve in the Springbok camp was perhaps best exemplified by wing Cheslin Kolbe in Saturday's 54-7 win at a rain-soaked Cape Town Stadium. Kolbe delivered a star-studded performance in atrocious conditions to help elevate the home team to an emphatic win to start off their season. Kolbe, a man who has risen to the occasion on the game's best illuminated stage, again shone with restless, relentless energy en route to a man of the match performance against the game's most revered and cherished composite team. Though he scored a first half try when he chased after a well weighted Aphelele Fassi toe poke, it was after the break that he stamped his authority on proceedings. While others tread water, Kolbe ran and manoeuvred like a player fitted with all-weather tyres as he deftly teased and tormented the Barbarians defence. He ran onto and jumped for the ball with zeal and purpose. He slid past defenders at will and even ran over visiting hooker Ricky Riccitelli in a surge for the try line before being halted just short. The Springboks retain the Qatar Airways Cup 👏👏 #SSRugby | #BARvRSA — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 28, 2025 Barbarians coach Robbie Deans is an admirer of Kolbe's work. 'I always enjoy watching Cheslin. Even when you're playing against him. He's just so positive. You can see his positivity into contact and in the air. He is just a freakish footballer.' Kolbe, 31, showed that his desire to make an impression in the Bok jersey remains undiminished. To be fair, that attitude permeated the Boks ranks with several players putting shoulder to the wheel in the kind of match often dismissed for its frivolity. After a two-year absence lock Lood de Jager made an impressive return to the Bok fold. He tirelessly toiled for 70 minutes before being withdrawn from the action. Jean-Luc du Preez, another Bok absentee in the last few seasons, also showed his worth in the No.8 jersey. He however left the field injured just before the break. Flank Vincent Tshituka went through a huge workload and would have been well satisfied with his effort. Like Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse also sparked when opportunity presented. It was the need to impress before the two-Test series against Italy that drove the Boks. In the second half in particular they played with greater hunger and urgency, displaying also the willingness to go the extra mile. Centre Andre Esterhuizen certainly fell into that category when he was deployed as a loose forward when he came on as a second-half substitute. Champagne rugby by the Boks 🥳🎉 📺 Stream #BARvRSA on DStv: — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 28, 2025 'If I wasn't willing I would not have played today,' he said. 'I'm willing to learn and slot into a bit of a hybrid role that covers forwards and backs. It can help me as a player as well and it can help the team. Hopefully we can see more of that in the future.' Knowing head coach Rassie Erasmus and his penchant for innovation Esterhuizen wasn't surprised to be pressed into a new role. 'I was waiting for the conversation to happen. It has been brought up in the past and it was shrugged off by different people. As you get older you learn how you can slot in everywhere. How you can get yourself into the team more constantly. You have to adapt as a player. I'm looking forward to see what it can be.' It is another example of the back-to-back Rugby World Cup holders forever pushing boundaries. At the last Rugby World Cup they often pushed players into situations and positions with which they are less familiar. The players by and large responded positively and rose to the occasion. A fleet-footed forward like Kwagga Smith may find himself in the backline but now a hulking back like Esterhuizen finds himself mixing it with the heavies upfront. The Boks keep innovating and it is keeping the rugby world on its toes.
The South African
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks Player Ratings: Who FIRED, Who FLOPPED
The Springboks got their 2025 season off to the perfect start with a 54-7 win over the Barbarians on Saturday. The Springboks demolished the Barbarians 54-7 at the DHL Stadium on Saturday, 28 June 2025. Rassie Eramus and the Boks have plenty to celebrate following their resounding performance en route to claiming their thir successive Qatar Cup. These are the players who stood out as well as a couple of stars who were slightly underwhelming. Lood de Jager – 9/10 Lood hasn't missed a step despite not playing for the Springboks in almost two years. The lanky Bok lock made countlies huge carries, getting over the advantage line at ease. He was also astute defensively and a solid line-out option for the Springboks. Vincent Tshitshuka – 8.5 What a debut. The elusive Sharks flanker scored two tries to cap off a well-rounded performance in his first Springboks test. Tshitshuka agility and skills were on full display. Meanwhile, he was a solid third choice in the line-out. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 8 Welcome back, Arendse. The speedy and skilful Springboks winger reminded the Bulls and SA Rugby what we have been missing since he left for Japan. Arendse finished off a beautiful well-worked team try in the corner and was a constant threat with ball in hand. He beat defenders at will with his fleet-footed stepping and lightning speed. Cheslin Kolbe – 9 The 2024 SA Rugby Player of the Year reminded us all why he was given awarded this honour. Kolbe was one of the stand-out Boks. His try in the corner was just the start of what was another world class display from Kolbe. He was excellent in the air dominating the aerial battle in wet conditions. Kolbe was perfect defensively, putting in one solid hit after the other. He added memorable bounce off on Ricky Riccitelli in the second half and was a threat all afternoon. *Please note that these players did not pay badly at all. They were just not as exceptional as the rest of the pack in what was a comprehensive display and dominance Springboks performance. Jean Kleyn – 6/10 He did not do much wrong but he was certainly overshadowed by his Bok lock team mate, Lood. Kleyn struggled to get over the advantage line or to make dominant tackles. He was solid at line out time and did what he needed to but did not stand out. Morne van den Berg – 6.5/10 He provided quick delivery from the base of the ruck. However, he certainly did not knock the selection door down and was outplayed by his replacement, Cobus Reinach. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘It wasn't our best game' – Kolbe after Springboks smash BaaBaas
Cheslin Kolbe played a starring role for the Springboks in their emphatic 54-7 win over the BaaBaas, earning the man of the match award. Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe goes over for a try in their season opener against the Barbarians in Cape Town on Saturday night. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe admitted that the Boks weren't at their best, despite steamrolling the Barbarians 54-7 in their one-off non-Test at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night. It was the season opener for the Boks, taking on the famed invitational side, and they were looking to get off on the right foot ahead of their incoming series against Italy and Georgia over the next three weeks. In the end it was a solid all-round effort, as they ran in eight tries to one over the BaaBaas, in tricky weather as well with rain falling over most of the game, although as Kolbe explained it wasn't the perfect game and they have plenty to work on. 'It wasn't the best of conditions. So I want to thank the supporters who came out in them to support the Springboks and this wonderful game,' said Kolbe after the match. 'It wasn't the best game from us as a team, but it is a good way to start the season. I am sure there is a lot more we want to improve on, so I am just looking forward to us building on this week by week. 'The message was clear this week. This was a Test match for us, we respect the BaaBaas coming out here, and I know they didn't have a lot of preparation. 'But all the focus was on us and making sure that we get better one percent at a time. So not the best performance, but I think we can take a lot out of tonight.' Man of the match Kolbe was in top form himself, scoring a first half try, while he was almost unplayable in the second, soaring high to field contestable kicks, while he stepped and broke the line on numerous occasions which saw him pick up the man of the match award. 'You don't get a lot of opportunities out wide (in games like this), so you have to go and look for some work on the inside. But I always say you have to give credit to the guys on the inside for making it easier for us which they did today, and that allowed us to capitalise on those opportunities,' said Kolbe. 'The nines were also spot on with their kicking game, which allowed us to get into the (aerial) contest which is what the coaches want. And we have to capitalise on that and create momentum for the forwards.' Irish legend Peter O'Mahoney, who captained the BaaBaas in his final game before retiring, said that they had enjoyed the week in Cape Town and were proud of their effort. 'We knew it would be a very tough Test match against the double world champs. It's always tough coming here (to South Africa) to play. You are always in for a huge physical test and the Springboks showed their class today,' said O'Mahoney. 'We showed some great moments and in the short time we have been together we have had a superb week in Cape Town, and I am incredibly proud of the boys.'
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Kolbe: Springboks need to be up to scratch against bolstered BaaBaas
With a formidable Barbarians squad, Cheslin Kolbe echoed the words of his coach that the Springboks need to treat the game as a Test match. Cheslin Kolbe will be keen to make a big statement when the Springbok kick off their season against the Barbarians this weekend. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe said that although a game against the Barbarians is traditionally treated as a friendly, he and his teammates will have to take it seriously this time. The match on Saturday (kick-off 5.10pm) is played early in the season as opposed to right at the end, when players are more inclined to relax. Now, with the game held a week before the first of three Tests against Italy and Georgia in July, which precedes the Rugby Championship starting in August, Kolbe echoed the words of assistant coach Tony Brown that the Springbok squad have to prepare for the game like it is the first of several Test matches. 'We are preparing for this one as a Test match, not looking down at it at all because we need to make sure we are up to standard from a playing point of view and as a group, whoever gets an opportunity this weekend,' Kolbe said. Boks train hard at altitude The SA Rugby Player of the Year said he had not played against the Barbarians before, but watching on from the outside in the past, he knew it would be an exciting game. 'We know what we need to prepare for and what we want to achieve this weekend as the coaches and Springbok team.' To this end, Kolbe said the Springboks' two-week training in Johannesburg had done a world of good ahead of the Barbarians match. 'I think there's a reason we go up to Johannesburg – because of altitude as coach Tony said. It does bring the best out of everyone but it pushes you to the limit, where you get into a dark place and it shows everyone's character. To get out of it as well, and just hang in there at times.' Kolbe warns Springboks of bolstered Barbarians He said the intense training would help, as the South Africans could not underestimate the Barbarians despite the inclusion of several retired and ageing players. These include former All Black captain Sam Cane, as well as Shannon Frizell, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy. He said this as SA Rugby revealed a host of young and old international stars have joined the BaaBaas ranks. Among them are New Zealand stars Mark Tele'a and Hoskins Sotutu, French fullback Melvyn Jaminet, and this year's United Rugby Championship Tackle Machine award winner, Ruben van Heerden.
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘They laid the foundation': Kolbe on 30th anniversary of 1995 World Cup win
Cheslin Kolbe said the 1995 Rugby World Cup team laid the foundation for current Springboks to take the country to new heights. Cheslin Kolbe has sung the praises of the Springbok 1995 Rugby World Cup team on the 30th anniversary of them winning the trophy. The SA Rugby Player of the Year said Francois Pienaar and his charges had done the country proud to claim the trophy, beating New Zealand in the final thanks to an unforgettable Joel Stransky drop-goal in extra time. Kolbe said the win, powered by a full-team effort and fuelled by the country's hope for unity after Apartheid, laid the foundation for reconciliation as a nation as well as dominance in the sport that saw South Africa win three more World Cups in the following years. Inspiration for current players 'They wore the jersey with pride and respect,' Kolbe said. 'For us as players that get the opportunity on weekends, we need to make sure we leave the jersey in a better place as well, whenever we do play.' Kolbe was only a year old at the time, but said he watched many highlights of the game and its great moments many times. 'Those are things that encourage you as a youngster, looking up to the heroes that played back then. You want to be on that stage as well and you want to be even better as well with your fellow teammates. 'The foundation has been laid so for us who get the opportunity. Now it's just ensuring we progress and leave the Springbok jersey and South Africa in a better place.' President Nelson Mandela hands the Rugby World Cup trophy to South Africa captain Francois Pienaar. Picture: AFP/Jean-Pierre Muller Kurt-Lee Arendse or Jonah Lomu? Kolbe reflected on the late All Black wing, Jonah Lomu, who scored seven tries during the 1995 Rugby World Cup and jointly holds the record for most tries in World Cups with Bryan Habana (15). Having recently played against fellow Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse in the Japan Rugby League One, Kolbe was asked if he would rather play against Lomu or Arendse on the biggest stage. 'It's unfair to put it that way,' Kolbe laughed. 'But who wouldn't want to come up against a legend like Jonah Lomu to test and see where you are at. But you also don't want to face Kurt-Lee on a one-on-one as well. It would be interesting.'
