Back 
1
'I don't understand': Cheslin Kolbe posts message about Toulon exit
By Liam Heagney
Cheslin Kolbe has published an Instagram post explaining that he had hoped for a better ending to his prematurely concluded stint at Toulon. It was Monday when the French club announced they were cutting ties with the 2019 Rugby World Cup winner, even though he was contracted to play for them for the 2023/24 season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nine days after helping Toulon to end their recent trophy drought by defeating Glasow in the Challenge Cup final in Dublin, Kolbe had made his final appearance for Toulon in their Top 14 win over Bordeaux on Sunday. That left them finishing seventh on the table, two points behind Bordeaux who took the sixth and final place for the end-of-season play-offs.
Monday’s club statement included a quote from Kolbe that would have liked to have stayed at Toulon but financial constraints at the club and his rotten luck with injuries had seemingly made things difficult.
The South African has now published a message on social media further explaining his thoughts on his departure from the club he joined in 2021 after winning the double with Toulouse.
“An emotional couple of weeks it has been for me and my family,” began Kolbe. “Some people might not understand, neither do I, but as I was told, ‘It’s a business’, to put my feelings aside. Despite it all, I have tried my best. Sometimes our plans don’t always align with God’s plans for us.
View this post on InstagramADVERTISEMENT
“I just want to thank each and everyone whom I have crossed paths with, the supporters, my teammates and all staff for everything. It’s not easy for me to say goodbye, but such is life. France has been our home for six years. Three kids later and it will always be home for us. Hopefully, this is not goodbye but see you soon. Thank you once again, I had hoped for a better ending.”
Monday’s statement from Toulon read: “The Rugby Club Toulonnais and Cheslin Kolbe have decided by mutual agreement to release each other from their commitments at the end of the 2022/2023 season. This allows Cheslin Kolbe to commit to a new project from the 2023-2024 season.
“Kolbe is expected to announce his future destination soon. The Rugby Club Toulonnais would like to thank Cheslin for his involvement in the rouge et noir since his arrival during 2021/2022.
“The entire RCT team wishes Cheslin Kolbe all the best for the future and an excellent Rugby World Cup, which he will prepare with the Springboks at the RCT Campus. Cheslin Kolbe will be honored at the end-of-season Garden Party on Monday and Tuesday at the RCT campus.”
ADVERTISEMENT
That statement ended with a quote from Kolbe. “I would like to thank the club, my teammates and all the supporters for the opportunity I have been given to play for Toulon during these two seasons and which I have enjoyed very much. I would have liked to stay at Toulon, but the financial constraints of the club and the injuries made things difficult.”
Comments
Join free and tell us what you really think!
Join Free
Latest Comments
Disappointing performance by the Allblack captain after coming on and knocking it on, ball cannon of the head and being shrugged off in an attempted tackle. Need to get two loose forwards into the bench for the Irish game and ensure its Jacobson and Blackadder
Go to commentsI've said it before and I'll say it again It's not the quality of the players anymore - it's the quality of the plays meaning game plan and tactics - attacking and defense It boils down to the coach, Aus has a coach Eddie who is full of shit. And wales has a very good catch this WC that's it. Aus rugby has gone down the drain because of Eddie and also because of Rugby Australia who made this harsh decision to cut out Dave before the end of this WC - they are the real culprits. You shouldn't let another coach come in the last minute and change the team, simply put you can't blame Eddie his a last minute change. Should have put Eddie in charge after this WC which is already over now for Aus.
Go to comments