Cheslin Kolbe, one of South Africa’s most electrifying players, played a pivotal role in the Springboks’ 29-20 victory over England at Twickenham. Scoring two tries, Kolbe’s contributions were instrumental, but his reflections after the match were focused on teamwork and improvement as the Springboks look ahead to their final test against Wales. Adding to his stellar year, Kolbe has also been nominated for the prestigious World Rugby Player of the Year award, cementing his status as one of the game’s finest talents.
Teamwork Over Individual Glory
Despite crossing the try line twice, Kolbe was quick to shift the praise to his teammates. “It’s always good to score tries as wingers, but a lot of credit goes to the guys on the inside for putting in the hard work,” he said. Kolbe highlighted the importance of collective effort and the Springboks’ focus on delivering a complete 80-minute performance.
“We know what we want to achieve during each test match. We need to ensure we’re playing consistently for 80-plus minutes without slow reactions or lapses in hunger,” he emphasized.
A Tough Test at Twickenham
Kolbe expressed immense pride in the team’s composure under pressure. “Coming down to England and Twickenham is never easy. I’m immensely proud of how the boys pulled together to find solutions on the field, even when things weren’t going our way,” he said.
Acknowledging that it wasn’t the Springboks’ best performance, Kolbe stressed the importance of reflecting on areas for improvement ahead of the next challenge.
Eyes on Wales
With two wins out of two on the tour, Kolbe and the team are determined to end the international season with a perfect record. “Wales has never been easy, and they deserve our respect,” Kolbe stated. “They have a similar game plan to us, and we know it’s going to be a tough match in Cardiff.”
Kolbe reflected on his debut in 2018, where the Springboks fell short in Cardiff, and used it as motivation.
A lot of teams are writing them off, but we won’t. We’ll prepare ourselves as well as we can and ensure we implement the coaches’ strategies while bringing our own confidence to the table.
Cheslin Kolbe
As the Springboks prepare to face Wales, Kolbe’s focus on growth and improvement encapsulates the team’s mindset. His nomination for World Rugby Player of the Year serves as a testament to his impact on the game, and fans will be eagerly watching as he looks to finish the year in style.