Cheslin Kolbe: Consistently punching above his weight

The diminutive winger is set to earn his 50th cap on the hallowed turf at Ellis Park this weekend. But despite Kolbe now being a household name in world rugby, it was a career that nearly didn't get off the ground.

In years past, size was a key factor in the Bok setup and while Kolbe was whizzing around at domestic level, there were questions whether his 75 kg, 171cm frame could handle international rugby.

"All of us said he was too small in the beginning," Erasmus admitted to the press this week.

But Western Province boss John Dobson helped convince Erasmus of Kolbe's underrated value.

"He said, 'Listen, this guy can turn a game around on his own, that's how good he is.'"

And Kolbe has done just that, and on the grandest of stages.

The Boks' comeback victory over the All Blacks in Wellington in 2018 is often referred to as the watershed moment this group of players began their storied journey to double world cup glory. Kolbe earned a sensational intercept try that helped turn that contest around.

He went on to score one of the most replayed tries in history in the 2019 Rugby World Final against England, stepping his way past four defenders to seal the deal.

Kolbe scored a similar spicy effort in the crucial third Test of the hard-fought 2021 British and Irish Lions Tour.

Most recently, his charge-down of Tomas Ramos' conversion attempt in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against France has become a viral moment and a representation of his never-say-die attitude.

While these are the highlights, there are plenty of other moments where Kolbe punches above his weight.

The hot-stepper consistently beats taller players in the air under the highball. The Cape Town native is also not afraid of contact, as is evident by his famous sit-down of All Black Captain Scott Barrett - a player he surrenders 44kgs to - in the 2024 Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park.

And last week against the Barbarians, Kolbe added another string to his bow for the Boks when he slotted nine from 11 kicks at goal. 

"The big thing about Cheslin is that he's a small man with a big heart," continued Erasmus.

"He serves the team so well. I couldn't believe he's only getting to 50 caps now because it feels like he's been around forever. I'm very glad for him."

And he's paved the way for players of similar ilk. Now, Kolbe is the unofficial Don of the Scrum Cap Mafia, with Springboks such as Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merve following in his lightning-fast footsteps.

With his fiesty attitude and immense heart, Kolbe encapsulates the Springbok spirit perfectly. Watch this space, as there are many more chapters to the Kolbe story.   

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