It’s an iconic moment that still resonates seismically in the world of rugby from its epicentre in Tokyo … even seven years later.
Leading 25-12 in the Rugby World Cup 2019 final, after a try from Makazole Mpimpi and the imperious boot of Handré Pollard had wrestled control of the encounter, a midfield turnover by Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx in the 73rd minute put the result beyond doubt. It was then, after some smart offloading, that possession landed in the hands of Cheslin Kolbe in space.
Accelerating near the touchline, the Bok wing left England’s cross-field defence discombobulated. First he left replacement prop Joe Marler in his wake, before goose-stepping a bewildered Owen Farrell to streak towards the try line, emphatically planting the ball into the ground as he crossed the whitewash. The Boks would go on to win the game 32-12.
Unsurprisingly, it remains one of the 32-year-old’s favourite moments.
“If I have to pick out one try,” Kolbe said last week, whilst with the Boks preparing in Johannesburg for the first Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks, “then definitely in 2019 in the World Cup final, because in a final, you don't get those kinds of opportunities to score tries.
“It's usually three-pointers and discipline that wins you the game. Myself and Makazole were the fortunate players to contribute to the team's success in that game.”
Since then, Kolbe has become a darling of South African rugby, but it was not always so. Early in his career, he was described as physically inadequate for international rugby. Wary of that constant criticism, Kolbe departed the country for France in 2017 and a career in the Top 14 with first Toulouse, then Toulon, before departing for Tokyo Sungoliath of Japan in 2023.
Although acclaimed for his pace and agility, it would take the appointment of current Bok coach Rassie Erasmus a year later in 2018 — and six years after Kolbe’s professional debut in 2012 — for the fleet-footed utility-back to earn a call-up to the national team.
Also unsurprisingly, he fondly recalls his first try at Test level, in 2018, under Erasmus’s watch.
“It's one that I'll never forget,” Kolbe mused, “and that was in my second Test, against the All Blacks in Wellington (which the Boks famously won 36-34).
“Not knowing that I would be part of the Bok team first and foremost in 2018; then getting called up; playing my first Test (a week earlier off the bench against Australia in Brisbane); and then getting to score my first Test try against an unbelievable team like New Zealand in New Zealand, was quite special.”
Back in those days, Kolbe was still very much a staple of Le Stade’s setup in the south of France, and many still questioned his abilities at Test level. Now, 50-plus Tests later, Kolbe is heralded as an indispensable part of the national setup.
Nonetheless, Kolbe recalls the sacrifices and challenges moving abroad back then for his craft entailed — not just for himself, but his family, too.
“We didn't want to leave South Africa,” Kolbe explained.
“We were still young. I had just got married, and we had just had our first daughter, who was four months old. At the time, I just wanted a different challenge, and obviously going to France was something completely out of our comfort zone.
“It's a decision to this day that I don't regret because I've developed, not just on the field, but off the field. I’ve got to know and find myself. I'm a quiet person, but I needed to go mingle with the French — not just players, but the public — and just embrace the opportunity that was given to us.
“For my wife and our kid back then, it was tough because we didn't have the support structure and the luxury of having our families just around the corner. I know my wife struggled in that regard.
“When I look back at it now, just going to a grocery store in France, and both of us just looking at each other and not understanding a single word of it, my wife just burst into tears. But we just said, ‘Listen, if we're going to want to make this, we're going to have to go in open-minded and obviously embrace the culture’.
“Likewise,” Kolbe continued, after revealing a now-solid understanding of French and a passable handle on Japanese, “in Japan, it is a different language, a different culture … It was just tougher being away from my wife and kids, and just missing out on the small moments, moments that I'm never going to get back.
“I was in Japan alone. My family would come during the school holidays in December. I used to travel back and forth. I'd literally travel the Sunday or the Saturday night after a game back to South Africa, spend two or three days here, then go back to Japan.”
It was those moments that informed Kolbe’s decision to return to playing in South Africa for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship later this year.
Said Kolbe: “I’m definitely excited to get back to Cape Town, where everything started for me in my professional career.
“The decision was simple. My wife and the kids were based in Cape Town while I was in Japan, and it's quite tough being away from them for such a long period of time and distance. The time was right to come back home.”
Kolbe’s connection to Cape Town and South Africa also extends into the Cheslin Kolbe Foundation, which focuses on sports development, education, and community upliftment.
“My wife has been holding the fort with a few of our team members regarding the foundation, but it's something that still excites me.
“I'm fortunate to have a platform now to make a difference and also give back at the same time. We decided to start the foundation at first to put shoes on children's feet, because in my community, and I'm sure across South Africa, there are so many kids that don't have shoes. But it has grown much bigger than that.
“There are so many things that we want to incorporate from a sporting and educational side, because I firmly believe once the grassroots level is set educational-wise, it will just continue to grow and develop. We would love to reach out to each and every person within South Africa, but you can only do so much with the resources that you do have.
“The foundation is doing really well. We have had programs running for the past three years, and we have locked more in for the next five years.”
After the first Test of the RGR this past Saturday, Kolbe and the Boks will depart for Cape Town the second Test against New Zealand later this week. The Mother City is expected to be more welcoming to the visitors due to the historic local support for the All Blacks.
Kolbe believes, however, that times have changed regarding that support, even though he admits one former All Black enjoyed his admiration while growing up.
“I had plenty of family, and I think there are still a few of them, that support the All Blacks,” Kolbe said, with a chuckle.
“Obviously, while growing up, there were many New Zealand supporters. I do think it's turned a little bit towards Springbok support now because of what the team and the coaches have transformed into over the past few years.
“But, yeah, there are definitely some of my friends and family members that are still New Zealand supporters.
“Growing up, I enjoyed the brand that New Zealand played. I think one standout player for me was Christian Cullen. Obviously, he was not one of the biggest players, but the things he could do on the field were exceptional."
When the Springboks touch down in Cape Town, Kolbe won't just be preparing for another high-stakes Test. He’ll be stepping into a city where his family is firmly rooted, his foundation is changing lives, and the jersey he once dreamt of wearing now fits him like a second skin.