Cheslin Kolbe is not from this planet.
He’s 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs 74 kilograms. For reference, Waisea Nayacalevu on the Fijian wing is 6 foot 4 and weighs 97 kilos. But only one of them is having the tournament of his life.
The speedy winger has lit up the Rugby World Cup in Japan, despite only playing two games for the Springboks in the pool stages. He almost single-handedly lead the fightback against New Zealand in their opening fixture, and then destroyed Italy the next time out.
His numbers alone are staggering; 2 games played, 2 tries scored, 15 carries, 6 clean breaks, 218 metres made from just 15 carries and 15 defenders left beaten in his wake. But it’s not just his numbers that are important.
He’s exciting to watch. A trait that’s all too rare in modern rugby, where bulk and brawn are often lauded, and rewarded, over speed, skill and guile.
A lot of it can be attributed to his Sevens background, having been a member of the Springboks side since the age of 18. He’s represented South Africa in the code at a World Cup and was part of the bronze-winning side in the 2016 Olympics. His instinct to run around players rather than through them, coupled with lightning pace and surprising strength, has seen him catapulted into one of the star performers of the tournament so far.
Speaking on The JOEpan Rugby Show this week, Jerry Flannery was quick to heap praise on the pacy winger and how he’s brought the game back to what people love to see;
“He’s arguably the best player in the world at the moment on his current form. I love watching him play because it would be pretty depressing if rugby just became this kind of race towards becoming the biggest team and the biggest team is always going to win. Because, I suppose, it’s not a good way for the game to be. But to see a guy in a team of absolute monsters, the smallest guy there is the best player and he’s probably the best player in the world at the moment, is a really good advert for rugby.”
Kolbe himself put it best during the week when he said “dynamite comes in small packages”. Watch this lad explode in the knockout stages.
On Episode 8 of The JOEpan Rugby Show, Rob O’Hanrahan and Jerry Flannery take a look ahead to the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals; Japan v South Africa and France v Wales. WATCH at the link below:
