Cheslin Kolbe praises young Boks and looks ahead to Los Pumas challenge

The 43–10 win secured the Freedom Cup for a second consecutive year and marked South Africa’s return as the world’s number-one ranked team. 

Kolbe says while the Boks can take pride in the result, their attention now shifts to the next Rugby Championship challenge against Argentina later this month.

"We'll take it week by week, I think we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves, just look back at this game where we can be better for our next two games. Argentina is playing great rugby, I'm sure it's gonna be a good challenge whenever we face them,” Kolbe said. 

“The hopes are there but we just need to take it training by training, game by game and just remain humble and continue to put in the hardwork."

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Kolbe was instrumental in the triumph, scoring two of the Springboks’ six tries.

He praised the team’s youthful backline for stepping up under pressure, saying the newcomers proved they “mean business” on the international stage.

"Immensely proud obviously when the team got announced with the young backline, me being one of the older guys at the back, I think it's just a lot of positive energy and guys that show they mean business and that they also wanna play for a position in the team,” he added. 

“That's one thing about this squad, whoever gets an opportunity we back them 100% and just make sure that whenever they go to big games like this, that they're confident and they're themselves. 

“A lot of credit to the coaches as well for feeding us with information and just making us as comfortable as possible. The young guys and what the backline did was unbelievable and I think we just need to keep our feet on the ground and just continue to work. I think we can still rectify our opportunities out there and just be better as a team."