"Not Going to be Easy" – Cheslin Kolbe: Springboks wing reminds team to 'keep feet on the ground' despite being heavy favorites against Wales
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South Africa take on Wales this Saturday, with the rugby landscape outside of the four Welsh regions unified upon who they believe will win at the Principality Stadium. If there was ever a ‘David vs Goliath’ situation in Test match rugby this is it, with the back-to-back World Champions taking on a side who have lost their last 11 consecutive Test matches.
Whilst South Africa rule the roost upon the men’s World Rugby rankings, Wales have dropped down to 11th in the global table. Recent defeats to Italy in the 2024 Six Nations and Fiji in the current Autumn Series, has further lessened the stock of Warren Gatland’s side. To say that it has been a difficult 12 months for Welsh Rugby would be an understatement, with the hangover of the WRU contract saga lingering in the form of disappointing defeats against previously beatable opponents.
However, whilst the Springboks heading to Cardiff as considerable favorites for tomorrow’s clash, their explosive wing Cheslin Kolbe has reminded the side to stay grounded, and expect a tough Test from their hosts for the weekend. Kolbe expressed how even after his side achieved an impressive win against England at the Allianz Stadium, the men in green and gold need to keep their focus for a fired up Welsh dragon.
“It was good to get the victory (against England), but we need to keep our feet on the ground and make sure that we get into the week. We need to prepare as well as we can against Wales, because it’s definitely not going to be easy.”
Despite being high up in the conversation regarding the best wings in the world today, the Tokyo Sungoliath speedster has a humble head upon his shoulders and never expects to be picked for Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks. Kolbe has accrued a total of 41 Test caps for South Africa, with his decorated career including two Rugby World Cup winners medals and an assortment of Rugby Championship silverware.
Kolbe was a stand-out performer of South Africa’s 29-20 win over England this past Saturday, as he stepped up both figuratively and literally, top showcase his un-defendable footwork against the helpless England defenders.
Freddie Steward was initially caught out by the tricky wing, after Kolbe collected a cross-field kick and exploded off his touch-line with Steward left clutching at straws. Kolbe’s second try saw him breakaway along the right wing after evading a tackle attempt, in what was a try that had subtle reminiscence of his 2019 Rugby World Cup Final score against the same side.
“We never know who the team will be that plays. And I’m just glad that I’ve got another opportunity to wear this jersey and just put in the work behind the scenes, not just us as players, but with the management as well.
“We give a lot of credit to them, because they come up with plans, and us as players, we adapt to that, and we also say what will work and what will not work. It’s always special to get the opportunity to wear this jersey, because there’s so much talent within this group.”
“I think we as a Springbok team, as a country, we’re in a good place. I think there’s so much young talent coming through, and it’s a blessing to see and for us. It’s making sure that we give our experience back to the guys who are getting the first cap or the second cap to make them feel comfortable to go out on the field and just express themselves and be themselves.
“It doesn’t matter if you have 130 caps or if it’s your first cap. We look at each other, at everybody, as level as we can, because we need to make sure that we prepare each other well throughout weeks for the guys getting opportunity.”
There has been a some recent comparisons between the current group of Springboks and the immortalized All Blacks that won back to back Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015. Only Richie McCaw and Siya Kolisi can claim the accolade of lifting consecutive Web Ellis Trophies, with the Springboks writing their own legacy with their world-beating status. Whilst Kolbe recognized that this current group of players is ‘special’, he by no means deems the group as ‘perfect’.
“Like I always tell people, This environment is really special, and that’s where the coaches has developed, and the place has just poured into them. We’re not perfect at all. There’s a lot of things way to work on, but that’s, that’s a beauty of it.
“You get another opportunity to be a better rugby player, be a better team, and use more than just for us is just making sure that we don’t just we do the jersey proud, but do South Africa proud. Because we know what this means and what the rugby means back back home. So yes, it’s always a massive honor and a privilege to wear the green and gold jersey.”
Speaking on a personal level, Kolbe has been enjoying the abundance of accolades that are pouring his way, as his stock rises amongst the best players in the world. However, the level-headed Springbok would not let himself get comfortable with the adulation, as he recognized how quickly a top talent can tumble down the mountain top of fan support, just seconds after he stood at the summit.
“It’s always good when people say those kind of things, but it takes one bad game and you’re the worst player. Again, for me, it’s quite simple. I’m learning each and every day. I’m not the complete rugby player. I’m first enjoying myself, enjoying the talent that I’ve been pleased with, and I just want to contribute towards the Springbok team wherever I can.
“A lot of people says things. A lot of people have their own opinions, and we as players appreciate it, but we also know what it is like being on the back foot, and when things are not going well, then people can, can be quite harsh. But, that’s what keeps things a bit entertaining, if you want to put it that way, but for me, I’m not going to just rely on those people saying good things about me at the end of the day.
“You need to produce between the four lines and play the best that you can. And that’s what I’m doing. So I’m enjoying this environment, and I want to be as long as I can.”
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