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Cheslin Kolbe is STILL strapped up from the World Cup final, 4 days later

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 29: Cheslin Kolbe of South Africa poses with the Webb Ellis Cup during the South Africa Winners Portrait shoot after the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 29, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The Springbok celebrations have shown no sign of stopping since they beat New Zealand 12-11 in the Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France on Saturday night.

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With the late kick-off of 21:00 in Paris, the celebrations went well into the night, culminating in the likes of Eben Etzebeth getting a new haircut because of teammate RG Snyman at 4:30am the next morning.

“I said ‘if we win the world cup, I’ll cut my hair the same as yours’ and obviously after the win in the final, it was about half past four in the morning… Yeah… the last time I drank water was in the game,” explained Etzebeth upon arrival in South Africa yesterday.

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“Obviously I wanted to be a man of my word, and I mean, winning the cup with these guys, I’ll do anything, so I decided to cut my hair. He sat me down and Damian Willemse cut my hair.”

On Sunday night it was the World Rugby awards, where Etzebeth was included in the Dream Team of the Year but missed out on World Player of the Year to Ardie Savea.

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On Monday the entire squad left to fly to South Africa, and images surfaced on social media showing star winger Cheslin Kolbe still with strapping on his wrists and shoulders.

When arriving to thousands at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg on Tuesday, some noticed that he hadn’t taken them off.

 

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He writes his family’s names on his wrist-strapping, so they are always with him, so perhaps he’s planning to keep it on until returning home to them.

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Cheslin Kolbe's wrist-strapping

A try-scorer in the 2019 final, Kolbe was yellow carded late in the game in Paris, and famously couldn’t watch those last few minutes after he thought he’d let his teammates down.

After the final whistle, the 30th birthday boy was part of a memorable and somewhat unfortunate team celebration when Siya Kolisi lifted the trophy, and the speedy winger got himself in a comical tangle with a South African flag.

Today is Wednesday, and as the celebrations continue, with the players arriving at broadcasting partner Supersport’s central offices in Randburg, Johannesburg, Kolbe is still wearing the protective strapping.

He was actually filmed today placing his gold world cup winners medal around the neck of young Desmond Koolen, who recently went viral for singing James Brown’s ‘I feel good‘ in a Springbok top. That in itself is an unbelievable story of selflessness and another life-changing moment for the boy.

 

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So as we can see, Cheslin has decided that the strapping needs to stay on, and with South Africa starting their trophy tour all around the country tomorrow, don’t be surprised if nothing changes over the next few days.

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2 Comments
B
Bob Marler 473 days ago

The boys are having one helluva, non-stop party it seems. 💪🙌

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plumsss 474 days ago

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Spew_81 1 hour ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

I’m not making it up regarding to Hansen’s intentions for the 10 jersey for the All Blacks in regards to McKenzie.


Lima Sopoaga retired in 2020.


McKenzie started in the third All Blacks vs France test in Dunedin in 2018. Hansen started McKenzie at 10 and put Mo’unga on the bench: Damian McKenzie's 24 point game! + Rieko Ioane hat trick: All Blacks vs France 2018 » allblacks.com.


Or see this article just before the match: Damian McKenzie takes hold of All Blacks No 10 jersey while Richie Mo’unga looms large | Stuff.


Damian is coming along nicely," Hansen told All Blacks TV. "He has shown he can play genuine test rugby as a fullback and the other night he put in a good stint at first-five for us.”


Hansen was giving Mo’unga a raw deal at the same time:


Hansen has indicated that Mo'unga will get a decent amount of game time, despite missing out on a starting spot. "Richie will get his shot off the bench,” said Hansen. "He has a strong ability to drive the team when he has been given an opportunity, so we are extremely confident he can do the job."


Mo’unga only got a real look in when McKenzie got badly injured and couldn’t make RWC 2019.


Hansen wanted B Barrett at 10 and saw McKenzie as the next option with Mo’unga in third place, in case of injury.


Cruden was playing Top 14 from 2017-2019, so he was fit enough to play at a high level. A an experienced 10 who was a game manager, who worked well with SBW could’ve been useful.


Regarding the Board. They were right to give Hansen the freedom to try his ideas. He was very successful. The All Blacks looked awesome against Ireland in the RWC 2019 quarter final. They were unprepared to play England in the semi though. It was more the Board installing Foster as the coach, and not removing him after two seasons, that was the Board’s error. The repercussions of that are still being worked through.

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J
JW 2 hours ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

Yeah I agree Hansen loved Beaudy way too much. Don’t see what that has to do with your statement of Dmac though.


I think you’re doing that thing where you make stuff up to fit the current picture you’re trying to paint.

But Hansen clearly wanted McKenzie at 15 (probably to take over at 10 later, like B Barrett did). So Cruden was on the outer.

Dmac had never been used as a starting 10 at any level by the point Lima had retired. Mo’unga took over, not Dmac.


Cruden was given the 10 jersey post 2015. He got injured in his second game, lost his jersey after that, but was still second to Barrett. Yes, many thought he should have been given it back (and that he should have got it back straight qaway), but Dmac wasn’t even in the picture at this point so you’re completly off track with those statements you’ve made.


That was the only occasion Dmac played 10, he was always at 15 in that period you mention.

After Cruden as dropped, Mo’unga was the only ‘knock out game’ test 10 New Zealand had. I guess Hansen sold them the idea that McKenzie was the way forward at 10, while Foster thought he could make B Barrett into ‘knock out game’ test 10? Who knows the thought process that went on.


Good job they cleaned the Board out.

Cruden was the first five version of Ethan Blackadder, he was not dropped, he couldn’t regain his place after injury and he said that his injuries were a big factor in leaving.


Hansen had nothing to do with McKenzie at 10.


That you comment about the board in this discussion is enlightening Spew!


Nothing you’ve replied with contradicts when I said about the inaccuracy of those highlighted statements. Bias is sending you waaay off track.


The facet I could agree on (not that you’ve really made the point) would be that by delaying bringing Mo’unga into the side, and instead continuing with Lima (or Barrett if you want to make Lima 1 and Richie 2), he cut short Richies prep for RWC 2019. It would indeed be a lot of pressure to handle being given the 10 jersey a few months out from a WC.


And ofc the old clicks penchants for dual playmakers and thinking Barrett can be a 10 (you’re preaching to the choir, just with bad basis of facts).

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