Kolbe a firm crowd favourite
OFF-SEASON: BOK WINGER HEADING BACK TO TOULOUSE
While he has to return to his French club Toulouse, Cape Town will always hold a special place in the heart of Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe.
The 26-year-old Kolbe played 69 games for the Stormers before joining Toulouse for the 2017/18 season, where he was playing before being called up last year by Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Boks’ World Cup trophy tour was concluded in Cape Town on Monday and Kolbe was one of the crowd favourites.
“It was really awesome to see the smiles and the massive crowds while we were in the different regions, but for me it’s also good to be back in Cape Town for a little bit,” Kolbe said.
“It’s really amazing to come back to South Africa, especially with the trophy, just to celebrate every little second that I could with the people.
“Without the fans it wouldn’t have been possible because they have been there all the way, sending their messages of support. For us as a team we really appreciate that.
“The goal for us was really to give hope to the country and make everyone proud back home.”
Kolbe scored his eighth try in his 14th Test for the Boks in the recent World Cup title decider against England, making him only the second Bok after Makazole Mapimpi to score a try for the
SA side in a World Cup final.
He credited flank Pieter-Steph du Toit and centre Lukhanyo Am for the supporting roles they played in the lead-up to his try.
“It wasn’t about me as a player,” Kolbe said.
“It was a team effort, from No 1 to whoever is in the squad. We just played for one another.
“We wanted to make each other and the country proud, and obviously everybody back home.”
Despite his relatively small 80kg frame, standing at 1.70m, Kolbe’s physical stature did not bother him and he proved his match-winning ability at the highest level.
“For us as outside backs and wingers, we just need to get the ball and just finish it off and score the tries when we can.”