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South Africa Cheslin Kolbe

Cheslin Kolbe

Cheslin Kolbe
South Africa
South Africa
Cheslin Kolbe

Cheslin Kolbe is a versatile outside back who won back-to-back Rugby World Cups with the Springboks. He plays domestically for Tokyo Sungoliath.

Nationality

South Africa

Age

32

Position

Outside Back

Height

171cm

Weight

78kg

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Cheslin Kolbe Stats

Stats compared to other Outside Backs

Cheslin Kolbe Stats

Stats compared to other Outside Backs
Cheslin Kolbe
Cheslin Kolbe

Key Stats

Season Performance

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Season Performance

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Cheslin Kolbe

Match Stats

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Cheslin Kolbe Performance Analysis

Internationals 2026

Cheslin Kolbe featured in 3 matches during the 2026 Internationals, representing South Africa. Results included 2 wins and 1 loss.

South Africa finished 0th in the 2026 Internationals, having won 0 and lost 0 of their 0 matches.

Cheslin Kolbe played 148 minutes across the Internationals 2026. In attack he made 68m with ball in hand, beating 5 defenders and scoring 0 tries. Defensively he completed 13 tackles at a rate of 4.33 per game.

In the Internationals 2026, Cheslin Kolbe completed 3 passes at an accuracy of 100%, contributing 0 try assists and making 19 touches.

Rugby Championship 2025

Cheslin Kolbe featured in 5 matches during the 2025 Rugby Championship, representing South Africa on their way to being crowned champions. Results included 4 wins and 1 loss.

South Africa won the 2025 Rugby Championship, finishing with 4 wins from 6 matches.

Cheslin Kolbe played 343 minutes across the Rugby Championship 2025. In attack he made 225m with ball in hand, beating 11 defenders and scoring 3 tries. Defensively he completed 20 tackles at a rate of 4 per game.

In the Rugby Championship 2025, Cheslin Kolbe completed 9 passes at an accuracy of 82%, contributing 0 try assists and making 50 touches.

Rugby World Cup 2023

Cheslin Kolbe featured in 5 matches during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, representing South Africa on their way to being crowned champions. Results included 4 wins and 1 loss.

Cheslin Kolbe represented South Africa at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where South Africa were crowned world champions.

Cheslin Kolbe played 393 minutes across the Rugby World Cup 2023. In attack he made 358m with ball in hand, beating 10 defenders and scoring 2 tries. Defensively he completed 24 tackles at a rate of 4.8 per game.

In the Rugby World Cup 2023, Cheslin Kolbe completed 5 passes at an accuracy of 100%, contributing 0 try assists and making 47 touches.

  • He ranked in the top 5% of Right Wing's for metres carried in the Rugby World Cup.
  • Nations Championship 2026

    Cheslin Kolbe has featured in 1 matches during the 2026 Nations Championship to date, representing South Africa, with 1 win and 0 losses.

    South Africa are currently 1st in the 2026 Nations Championship table, having played 1 of their matches.

    Cheslin Kolbe has played 80 minutes across the 2026 Nations Championship so far. In attack he has made 27m with ball in hand, beating 2 defenders and scoring 1 try. Defensively he has completed 9 tackles at a rate of 9 per game.

    In the Nations Championship 2026, Cheslin Kolbe has completed 1 passes at an accuracy of 100%, contributing 0 try assists and making 8 touches.

    His tackle completion rate of 90% was among the highest of any Right Wing's in the Nations Championship.

    Japan Rugby League One 2025/2026

    Cheslin Kolbe featured in 16 matches during the 2025/2026 Japan Rugby League One, representing Tokyo Sungoliath. Results included 8 wins and 8 losses.

    Cheslin Kolbe represented Tokyo Sungoliath in the 2025/2026 Japan Rugby League One season, who finished 3rd in the regular season table.

    Cheslin Kolbe played 1373 minutes across the Japan Rugby League One 2025/2026, carrying the ball further than any other Right Wing in the process with 1489m. He beat 109 defenders and scored 10 tries, completing 71 tackles at a rate of 4.44 per game.

    In the Japan Rugby League One 2025/2026, Cheslin Kolbe ranked in the top 5% of Right Wing's for passing, completing 85 passes at an accuracy of 89%, with 2 try assists and 288 touches.

  • He ranked in the top 5% of Right Wing's for defenders beaten in the Japan Rugby League One.
  • He carried the ball further than any other Right Wing's in the Japan Rugby League One.

  • He ranked in the top 5% of Right Wing for passes completed in the Japan Rugby League One.
  • Cheslin Kolbe Bio

    Born in Kraaifontein, South Africa in October 1993, Cheslin Kolbe began his rugby career during his time at Hoërskool Brackenfell. He then went on to join Western Province in the club's youth setup in 2009. Following this, he made his debut for the first team in 2012. He then made his debut for the Stormers in Super Rugby only a year later.

    Cheslin Kolbe remained with Western Province until 2017 and was a consistent performer during this period. In 2014, he was also part of the side that won the Currie Cup.

    In the 2017-18 season, he moved to Top 14 side Toulouse, where he remained until 2021. During his time with the French giants, he won both the Top 14 and the European Rugby Champions Cup. At the end of the 2020-21 season, he moved to Toulon for two years. Since 2023, he’s represented Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan. 

    Cheslin Kolbe's senior international career started in 2018, when he was called-up to the South Africa national team for the 2018 Rugby Championship. Prior to this he had played for the SA national sevens team and the South Africa U20 team. At the 2016 Olympics, he earned a bronze medal.

    He then made his official debut against Australia during round three of the 2018 Rugby Championship. Ever since, Kolbe has been an instrumental part of the Springboks team and he played a vital role as the side claimed back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023.

    In 2019, he famously scored a try in the final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup against England as he helped South Africa win their fourth Rugby World Cup. He was also named the 'Best Top 14 Player' in the World Cup as an added bonus. In the 2023 final, he was sent off for a deliberate knock-on in the last 10 minutes of the final, but South Africa held on 12-11 against New Zealand. 

    Ultimately, whether it's for club or country, Cheslin Kolbe is consistently still one of the world's best performers and with many years of his career still ahead of him, it's likely he will continue to be for some time.

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