Left brain or right, Kolbe displays a rare talent
SOUTH African coaches often see things in black or white but in explaining prodigy Cheslin Kolbe’s potential former Blitzboks coach Paul Treu pointed to grey matter.
“I will have to use the brain as an example,” insisted the masters graduate in educational psychology. “Most rugby players, well, most people, are left-brain people. They are systematic, they like structure and are disciplined. Guys like Cheslin, Willie [le Roux] and Gio [Aplon] are rightbrain people.”
Kolbe’s trenchant qualities has helped him make an almost seamless transition to the senior ranks after blazing a trail at sevens and age-group level.
“Right-brain people see space a lot sooner,” Treu continued. “It is very difficult for a left-brain player to thwart a right-brain player but it can work the other way around. When the guys do their strategies and defence patterns it is very much left-brain methodology that is followed at practice.
“The right-brain players take them from their comfort zone and they seem to derive a lot of pleasure from it,” said Treu, who admits that much of his coaching philosophy is based on the different hemispheres of the brain.
The 19-year-old Kolbe, who has been declared off-limits by Western Province for media inter- views, is widely seen as a rare talent.
His blistering pace off the mark and at full throttle, as well as his Carel du Plessis-esque sidestep are obvious weapons, but it is his ability to make sharp decisions on the hoof that has made him a defending team’s nightmare.
“That is something we try to cultivate in sevens,” reminded Treu. “A player with his talent can be individualistic but in the last while he has matured and learnt how to function in a structured team environment and then take calculated risks.
“If he fully understands when to play conservatively and when to have a go he is going to be an immense player,” said Treu.
John Dobson, Western Province’s Vodacom Cup coach, says: “The most important thing is that he is a quality individual. He’s humble, keen to learn and plays for the team. He has a big punt, is quick, he can sidestep at full speed — but he is not the clichéd small outside back that many think. He is a superb defender and although he is small, he is strong,” said Dobson.
It is a view echoed by Dawie Theron, who coached Kolbe when he was part of the SA under-20 side. “One’s first impression may be that he is small, but for his size he is very strong. He is very well conditioned. He is so attuned to the game and uses his reaction time and explosiveness. He is very professional and always has a smile on his face,” said Theron.
Given Kolbe’s modest 1.70m, 79kg frame, his suitability for test rugby is likely to be questioned.
“A lot will depend on the perceptions and who the Springbok coach is,” said Treu. “It is a perception inside South African rugby that players of his size and calibre can’t make it in the 15man code. If players like Willie le Roux, Breyton Paulse and Gio Aplon can play at the highest level, so can Cheslin.”