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 October 28, 1993) is a famous South African rugby union player. He plays for Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan and is a key member of the South Africa national team. Cheslin usually plays as a wing or fullback. He has also played as a fly-half and even a scrum-half.
Cheslin Kolbe is known for his amazing speed and quick moves on the field. Even though he is not the biggest player, he is very strong in tackles. Many people think he is one of the best wingers of his time. He helped the South Africa Sevens team win a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He also won the Rugby World Cup twice with South Africa, in 2019 and 2023.
Contents
Cheslin Kolbe's Early Life and Rugby Start
Cheslin Kolbe went to Hoërskool Brackenfell. He started playing rugby at a young age. He played for the Western Province youth teams. He played at different levels, from the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in 2009 to the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship.
Playing for Clubs
Cheslin Kolbe has played for several top rugby clubs around the world.
Starting with Western Province
Cheslin made his first professional appearance for Western Province. This was in a Vodacom Cup game against Boland Cavaliers. A month later, he was chosen to be on the bench for the Stormers team. This was for their Super Rugby game against the Sharks.
In October 2014, he was part of the Western Province team that won the Currie Cup. They beat the Lions 19–16 in the final. He signed a deal to stay with Western Province until 2016.
Moving to Toulouse in France
In 2017, Kolbe moved to France to join Top 14 team Toulouse. He played for them during the 2017–2018 season. While playing for Toulouse, he got his first call-up to the South Africa national team. This was for the 2018 Rugby Championship.
He played his first game for South Africa against Australia on September 8, 2018. He came on as a substitute in that match. In June 2019, Kolbe helped Stade Toulousain win the Top 14 final, becoming French champions. In 2021, he had a fantastic year, winning both the European Cup and the Top 14 with Toulouse.
Playing for His Country: South Africa
Cheslin Kolbe made his debut for the South African national team, known as the Springboks, in 2018.
Key Role in Springboks' Success
He played a very important part in the Springboks winning the 2019 Rugby Championship. On November 2, 2019, Kolbe was part of the team that won the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. He even scored a try in the final game against England.
Kolbe was also crucial in the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. He played in all three test matches. He scored the only try for the Springboks in the third and final game, which helped South Africa win the series. He was also a key player in the 2023 Rugby World Cup victory. Even though he received a yellow card in the final, South Africa managed to win 12–11 against New Zealand.
South Africa Under-20 Team
In 2013, Cheslin was part of the training group for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship. He was then chosen for the main squad for that tournament.
National Sevens Team
From 2012 to 2017, Kolbe played for the South Africa Sevens team. In 2013, he was part of the team for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens. He was also in the 12-player squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. South Africa won a bronze medal in that competition.
Achievements and Awards
Cheslin Kolbe has won many important titles and awards throughout his career.
Western Province
- Currie Cup: 2014 winner
Toulouse
- European Champions Cup: 2021
- French League: 2019, 2021
Toulon
- European Challenge Cup: 2022–23
South Africa
- 2019 Rugby Championship winner
- 2019 Rugby World Cup winner
- 2019 World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year nominee
- 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa winner
- 2023 Qatar Airways Cup vs New Zealand at Twickenham winner
- 2023 Rugby World Cup winner
- 2024 Rugby Championship winner
South Africa 7's
- 2016 Olympics Bronze medal
Personal Life
Cheslin Kolbe married Layla Cupido in 2018. They have three children together. He is a very religious person and a devout Christian.
Cheslin Kolbe is also related to a famous athlete! His cousin is Wayde van Niekerk, a South African track and field sprinter. Wayde won a gold medal in the 400 metres at the 2016 Olympics. He also holds world records in the 300m and 400m races.
See also
In Spanish: Cheslin Kolbe para niños
