Latest news with #CheslinKolbe
TimesLIVE
11 hours ago
- 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 He tirelessly toiled for 70 minutes before being withdrawn from the action.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 Herald
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Springboks batter BaaBaas in Cape Town
No 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, another long-time absentee from the Boks ranks, was full of honest endeavour. Perhaps predictably given the conditions, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu delivered a mixed bag. Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg's intelligent use of the boot caged the Barbarians inside their own territory, while replacement Cobus Reinach injected energy and purpose after the break. Kurt-Lee Arendse was typically hawkish in eyeing opportunity, Kolbe played as if fit with all-weather tyres, while Fassi was full of the lustre that has characterised his season. Kolbe was electrifying in the second half. The visitors' scrum infractions started to mount in the first half as trimmed-down tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye made his presence felt in Bok colours. The Boks, however, did not maintain their grip in that facet and the tourists grew stronger as the first half wore on. Melvyn Jaminet opened the visitors' score in the 65th minute — but by then the tourists' baabaalas was well in the making. Scorers Springboks (19) 54 - Tries: Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Vincent Tshituka (2), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Lood de Jager, Damian de Allende. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Manie Libbok (5). Barbarians (0) 7 - Try: Melvyn Jaminet. Conversion: Jaminet.
The Citizen
a day ago
- 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
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springbok player ratings in win against Barbarians
Cheslin Kolbe and Lood de Jager were the standout performers on the day. The Springboks opened their 2025 season with an emphatic 54-7 win against the Barbarians in a one-off match in a wet Cape Town on Saturday. The Boks scored eight tries to the one by the Baabaas in a dominant performance against the invitational side. The World Cup holders are next in action against Italy in Pretoria next Saturday. This is how The Citizen rated the performance of the Bok players on Saturday. Aphelele Fassi 8: He was solid in all departments. Made two kicks into space which led to tries by team-mates. Kicked well out of hand and strong under the high ball. Cheslin Kolbe 10: Just brilliant. He scored a try, made tackles, ran hard at the opposition, jumped high for balls, made try assists, chased kicks … man of the match! Jesse Kriel 7: He had a quiet first half but burst into life in the second half. Made some good tackles and looked dangerous with ball in hand in space. Damian de Allende 7: Made some tackles and carried well at times. Made good kick into space for Kurt-Lee Arendse's second try. He also scored a try at the death. Kurt-Lee Arendse 9: Another energetic performance by the winger. He made some great runs in space, won a breakdown penalty and scored a try. Excellent performance. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 6: He had some good moments, but some bad moments as well; perhaps tried too hard to impress. Won a breakdown penalty. Off in the 46th minute. Morne van den Berg 7: His service was quick and swift and looked to keep things ticking along nicely. Made some decent kicks, but also some poor ones. Tackled well. Off in 46th. Jean-Luc du Preez 6: He didn't get too many chances to show what he is capable of. Made some tackles and the odd carry, left the action early in second half. Vincent Tshituka 7: He was excellent at the back of the lineout, taking a few throws that came his way. He also scored two tries from close range. Tackled and cleaned the rucks. Marco van Staden 5: Like Du Preez he didn't really get a chance to show off his skills. It was a quiet outing by the flanker, though he made a few tackles and cleaned rucks. Lood de Jager 9: Welcome back! He was dominant in the lineouts, winning ball and stealing ball, carried strongly and tackled superbly. He also scored a try … excellent outing. Lood de Jager, right, is congratulated by Neethling Fouche, during the Springboks' match against the Barbarians. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Jean Kleyn 6: Like a few of his team-mates, he didn't do anything memorable. He made the odd tackle and clean and carry, but it was a quiet performance from the big man. Asenathi Ntlabakanye 7: A solid first outing for the Boks. He scrummed well and won a few penalties. Didn't get much chance to carry the ball. Made some tackles. Malcolm Marx 8: Didn't do anything flashy, but his lineout throwing was excellent, finding his man every time, while he scored a try and was busy in the loose play. Ox Nche 7: Also an unusually quiet outing for the normally busy loosehead prop. He did what he had to in the scrums, but didn't get a chance in the loose. Bench: Marnus van der Merwe 6: The new hooker will be pleased with his contribution, though he got few chances with ball in hand. Found his jumpers and made his tackles. Jan-Hendrik Wessels 6: Scrummed well in the second half and was busy in the loose, though he, too, had few chances in space. He scored a try. Neethling Fouche 6: Like so many of his team-mates, didn't stand out for anything in particular, but scrummed well, and was active in the loose. Franco Mostert 6: He came on in the second half and made his tackles and carries. Didn't really do much at lineout time. Kwagga Smith 7: He came on for Du Preez's HIA and then permanently later on. Was busy in the tight-loose and made a number of tackles. Cobus Reinach 7: Continued where Van den Berg left off, with an energetic showing, that included a few good darting runs. Showed he has plenty to still offer. Manie Libbok 7: Delivered a measured performance, with some good distribution and attacking play. Made the run that led to Arendse's second try. Goal-kicking was spot on. Andre Esterhuizen 7: He came on and packed down at flank, in another surprise play by Rassie Erasmus. Made some strong runs over the gain line and also popped up in the backs.
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
LIVE SCORING: Springboks v Barbarians
The Springboks will meet the Barbarians for the first time since 2016 – and for the first time ever in South Africa – when the teams do battle in Cape Town on Saturday evening. The game – which kicks off at 17:10 at the DHL Stadium – marks the Springboks' first match of the international season, after a successful 2024 campaign that yielded 11 wins in 13 Tests, as well as a Rugby Championship title. South Africa and the travelling club will compete for the Qatar Airways Cup, which the Springboks have held since defeating the All Blacks at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in 2023, and Wales at the same London venue last year. All eight of the previous matches between the Springboks and Barbarians were staged in Europe, with South Africa winning three, the Barbarians winning four, and one match ending in a draw. How will this encounter play out? Keep track below. Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen. Barbarians: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Peter O'Mahony (captain), 5 David Ribbans, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Cian Healy. Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Hassane Kolingar, 18 Will Collier, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Joe Marchant, 23 Lachlan Boshier. Date: Saturday, June 28 Venue: Cape Town Stadium Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT) Referee: AJ Jacobs Assistant referees: Christopher Allison and Stephan Geldenhuys TMO: Egon Seconds 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.
