Cheslin Kolbe

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Lore & Background

Kolbe's legacy is cemented by two Rugby World Cup triumphs, in 2019 and 2023. In the 2019 final against England, he scored a try late in the second half, helping secure the title. He was also instrumental in the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, starting all three test matches and scoring the Springboks' only try in the third and deciding test to propel South Africa to a series win. In the 2023 World Cup final against New Zealand, he received a yellow card and was sent off for a deliberate knock-on in the last ten minutes, but South Africa held on to win 12–11. At club level, Kolbe won the Currie Cup with Western Province in 2014, the Top 14 and European Rugby Champions Cup with Toulouse (2021), and later played for Toulon before joining Tokyo Sungoliath in 2023. In May 2026, it was confirmed he would return to the Stormers for the 2026–27 season, marking his first appearance in South African domestic rugby for nearly ten years.

In Their Own Story

The roar of the stadium in Yokohama faded into a dull hum as Cheslin Kolbe sprinted down the wing. The English defense collapsed like a house of cards against his sudden change of pace. He didn't just run; he danced through gaps that shouldn't have existed, the oval ball tucked tight against his ribs. As the fullback lunged for a desperate tackle, Kolbe sidestepped with a fluid motion that seemed to suspend time, diving over the try line as the referee's whistle shrieked, sealing another chapter in Springbok history. That try in the 2019 World Cup final was the culmination of a journey that began at Hoërskool Brackenfell and saw him represent Western Province at Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in 2009 and the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship. He made his provincial first class debut in the Vodacom Cup against Boland Cavaliers, and a month later was named on the bench for the Stormers in Super Rugby against the Sharks. After moving to Toulouse for the 2017–2018 season, he received a call-up to the South Africa national team for the 2018 Rugby Championship, making his debut against Australia on 8 September as an injury replacement for Makazole Mapimpi.

Reader's Guide

Cheslin Kolbe's career statistics are defined by his try-scoring prowess. He scored a famous try in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final and scored the Springboks' only try in the third and deciding test of the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour. His test try record stands at 22 tries as of 4 July 2026. At club level, he started in all but one of his 43 games for Tokyo Sungoliath across three seasons (2023–24, 2024–25, 2025–26), finishing with over 20 tries and over 200 points in his last season, the top scorer. His signature skills include elite acceleration, exceptional low-center-of-gravity agility, and the ability to break tackles from open play. Unlike many wingers who rely solely on speed, Kolbe combines it with intricate footwork and offloading capabilities in contact. Leadership moments often manifest through his infectious energy and willingness to take on multiple defenders. His contributions were pivotal in the 2019 final against England and throughout the 2023 campaign, where his presence forced opponents to dedicate specific defensive strategies solely to contain him.

Did You Know?

• Kolbe won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as part of the South Africa sevens team.
• He scored a try in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final against England.
• Kolbe received a yellow card and was sent off for a deliberate knock-on in the last ten minutes of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, but South Africa still won 12–11.
• He is a cousin of famous South African track and field sprinter Wayde van Niekerk, who won the gold medal in the 400 metres at the 2016 Olympics.
• Kolbe married Layla Cupido in 2018 and they have three children together.