Cheslin Kolbe facts for kids
Kolbe playing for South Africa in 2022
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| Date of birth | 28 October 1993 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Kraaifontein, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lb; 11 st 11 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Hoërskool Brackenfell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of the Free State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Wayde van Niekerk (cousin) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cheslin Kolbe (born 28 October 1993) is a famous South African rugby union player. He plays for Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan and for the South Africa national team, also known as the Springboks. He usually plays as a wing or fullback. Sometimes, he even plays as a fly-half or scrum-half.
Cheslin Kolbe is known for his amazing speed and quick footwork. He is one of the fastest rugby players ever! Even though he is not the biggest player, he is very strong in defence. He has won many big awards, including two Rugby World Cups with South Africa in 2019 and 2023. He also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Contents
Early Life and Youth Rugby
Cheslin Kolbe grew up in Kraaifontein, South Africa. He went to Hoërskool Brackenfell. During his school years, he played rugby for Western Province at different youth levels. This included playing in the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in 2009. He also played in the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship.
Playing for Clubs
Western Province and Stormers
Kolbe started his professional career with Western Province. He made his first senior team appearance in 2013. Soon after, he was named on the bench for the Stormers, a Super Rugby team. In 2014, he helped Western Province win the Currie Cup, a big rugby competition in South Africa. He signed a contract to stay with Western Province until 2016.
Toulouse
In 2017, Kolbe moved to France to play for Toulouse, a top team in the Top 14 league. He quickly became a key player for them. In 2019, he helped Toulouse win the French Championship. He continued his success in 2021, winning both the European Cup and the Top 14 with Toulouse.
Toulon and Tokyo Sungoliath
After his time at Toulouse, Kolbe played for Toulon in France from 2021 to 2023. With Toulon, he won the European Challenge Cup in 2023. Currently, he plays for Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan. He is known as one of the highest-paid rugby players in the world.
International Rugby Star
Playing for South Africa
Cheslin Kolbe made his debut for the Springboks in 2018. He quickly became a very important player for the team.
- 2019 Rugby Championship and World Cup: Kolbe played a big part in the Springboks winning the 2019 Rugby Championship. Later that year, he was a key member of the team that won the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. He even scored a try in the final match against England.
- 2021 British & Irish Lions Tour: Kolbe was also crucial in the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. He started in all three test matches and scored the only try for the Springboks in the final game, helping them win the series.
- 2023 Rugby World Cup: He was again a vital player in the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. The Springboks won the final 12-11 against New Zealand, making Kolbe a two-time World Cup winner!
Youth and Sevens Rugby
Before playing for the main South Africa team, Kolbe played for the South Africa Under-20 team in 2013. He also represented the South Africa Sevens team from 2012 to 2017. He was part of the team that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Awards and Achievements
Cheslin Kolbe has won many important titles and awards throughout his career:
- Western Province:
- Currie Cup: 2014
- Toulouse:
- European Rugby Champions Cup: 2021
- Top 14 (French League): 2019, 2021
- Toulon:
- European Challenge Cup: 2022–23
- South Africa (Springboks):
- Rugby Championship: 2019, 2024
- Rugby World Cup: 2019, 2023
- British & Irish Lions Series: 2021
- South Africa Sevens:
- Olympic Games Bronze Medal: 2016
Off the Field
Cheslin Kolbe is married to Layla Cupido, and they have three children. He is a very religious person and a devout Christian.
He is also a cousin of the famous South African track and field athlete Wayde van Niekerk. Wayde van Niekerk won a gold medal in the 400 metres at the 2016 Olympics and holds world records in the 300m and 400m races.
See also
In Spanish: Cheslin Kolbe para niños
