Latest news with #Kolbe
The Citizen
7 hours 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
4 days ago
- 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
5 days ago
- 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.'
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kolbe pays tribute to OG Springbok World Cup winners on 30th anniversary
Wing Cheslin Kolbe says the legacy of the Springboks' Class of 1995 continues to shape and inspire the current generation. On this day 30 years ago, the Springboks won their first Rugby World Cup, beating the All Blacks 15-12 in extra time at Ellis Park. It was a historic moment for South Africa, just a year after the country's first democratic elections. Captain Francois Pienaar famously lifted the Webb Ellis Cup alongside President Nelson Mandela in one of the sport's most iconic images. Joel Stransky's extra-time drop goal remains one of the most replayed moments in rugby history. Today, the legacy of that 1995 team continues to resonate with current Springbok players. Wing Cheslin Kolbe, a two-time World Cup winner, says the example set by that squad still shapes the team's mindset. 'They laid the foundation back in 1995 and they wore the jersey with pride and respect,' said Kolbe. 'For us as current players, we need to make sure we leave the jersey in a better place every time we play.' Kolbe was too young to witness the win live but says watching footage of the final helped inspire his rugby journey. 'I saw the highlights and key moments growing up. That team made you want to represent the Springboks one day and go even further with your teammates.' Since 1995, South Africa has gone on to win three more World Cups—in 2007, 2019, and 2023—matching New Zealand as the most successful nation in the tournament's history. Still, the first win remains the most emotionally significant, given its role in uniting a post-apartheid nation. 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.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Rassie Erasmus took Springboks to a 'dark place' ahead of Barbarians season opener
FILE - Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe says they were properly put through their paces ahead of the international season. Image: Justin Tallis / AFP Cheslin Kolbe has been a Springboks stalwart for the last seven years and has basically won everything there is to win in the green and gold. The same goes for many of his teammates, who have walked this journey with coach Rassie Erasmus since 2018. They have been there, done that and have two Rugby World Cup-winning T-shirts to show for it. There is nothing they haven't experienced in the Springbok environment Or so they thought … Kolbe revealed on Monday that their pre-season camp ahead of the 2025 international season, which starts on Saturday with a match against the Barbarians in Cape Town, was the toughest one he has ever experienced with the Springboks. The fleet-footed wing says there were plenty of 'dark' moments as Erasmus and his coaching staff put the team through their paces at altitude in Johannesburg ahead of a jam-packed year, which could see them play 15 matches by December. Erasmus' mantra has always been that the intensity of their training needs to be on such a level that what they face on the weekend feels like a game of touchies. And he certainly didn't hold back over the last couple of weeks. 'It's probably my toughest pre-season that I have been part of in the Springboks,' Kolbe told the media at the team's hotel on Monday. 'Physically, the whole squad is doing well. There is a reason why we go up to Johannesburg because of the altitude. 'But it does bring the best out of everyone, it's tough and pushes you to the limit, where you get into a dark place. It brings everyone's character to the fore, to show what it takes in those dark moments … to get out of there and just hang in there. 'It's been good preparation.' The intensity of the training must have been a massive eye opener for the newbies in the Bok team. Erasmus has been actively busy with the rebuild since last year, as many of his banker players such as Kolbe are on the wrong side of 30 as they head into the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Last year Erasmus used a total of 50 players, blooding 12 rookies to build capacity over the next few years before they go and defend their title Down Under in two years' time. Kolbe is certainly enjoying the injection of new blood, saying the competition for places is keeping everybody sharp. 'The young talent is unbelievable. It keeps each and everyone of us on our toes. They are pushing for positions and we are pushing for positions,' Kolbe added. 'It brings the best out of each and everyone of us, and whoever gets the opportunity on game day, we have to make sure that we prepare well and do the business on the weekend.'
