VIDEO: Kolbe's main job against England
WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: As one of the hottest properties in Rugby Union, South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe has made his mark as a free-roaming wing with lightning footwork and a sprinter’s acceleration.
Back in the Springbok team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup Final against England after missing the 19-16 semifinal win over Wales with an ankle injury, Kolbe said he was instead primed for an aerial battle in Yokohama.
Teammate Faf de Klerk dominated proceedings against Wales, as the two sides kicked the ball an incredible 81 times over the 80 minutes, deploying a kicking game backed by a pressing, aggressive defence that tries to force opposition errors.
“I obviously do enjoy running with ball in hand, but the game has really differed in the last couple of months in terms of being more aerial, battle-wise,” said Kolbe.
“I think there’s going to be a bit of a contest in the air and chasing and I think that the team that’s going to be up for that is the team that’s going to pull it through.”
While De Klerk and Handre Pollard pull the halfback strings for South Africa, with fullback Willie Le Roux also offering a kicking option, England’s Owen Farrell, George Ford and Elliot Daly all have an equally impressive kicking game.
“There are structures, plans put in place,” continued Kolbe, who said he was looking forward to coming up against Jonny May – “He has got a lot of wheels!”
“If you wear that jersey, it’s whatever it takes to wear it and give the best on the field, whether it’s chasing up on a kick, on defence or running with the ball in hand.
“It’s just going to be whatever it takes to make it work and make sure the team benefits at the end of the day.”
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‘Really confident’
Prior to the semifinals, Kolbe had underlined his credentials as one of the stars of the World Cup with a series of blistering performances that lit up the competition in Japan, wowing fans to become one of the most recognisable faces of the tournament.
In a game increasingly made up of giants, Kolbe, standing a diminutive 1.72m tall and weighing in at a relatively paltry 80kg, relies on his speedy footwork and an ability to use his power-packed stature to ricochet his way out of contact situations.
Makazole Mapimpi has demonstrated equal ability on the left wing for South Africa, with five tries to his name in the competition.
Kolbe comes back into the starting XV in place of Sibusiso Nkosi, who also played well against Wales, but misses out on the matchday 23 in coach Rassie Erasmus’ sole change from that last-four clash.
“It’s definitely been frustrating, especially coming through the pool stages and getting injured against Italy probably in the last seconds of the game,” said Kolbe, cousin of South Africa’s world 400m record holder Wayde van Niekerk.
“I’ve been training with the team for the last two weeks. I’m really confident that as a player I’m back to my old self, the ankle has really healed up nicely.
“I’m really confident, I always give my 100 percent. I’ll never go out on the field when I’m not 100 percent because that’s just selfish as a player.”
Kolbe, who enjoyed a breakthrough season with Top 14 champions Toulouse last season, added: “I’m just grateful to get another opportunity to wear the green and gold jersey and to play in the final.”
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