Cheslin Kolbe: Speed Wins

Cheslin Kolbe is easily one of the most recognisable figures on a rugby field. At 32 years old, his 172cm, 75kg frame is famous for stepping and weaving its way past any opponent.

Then there is that iconic charge-down of Thomas Ramos’ conversion attempt during the Springboks’ heart-stopping 29-28 victory over hosts France in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final – a moment at the Stade de France that will live on in rugby folklore forever.

Moments like these are why he is one of the most sought-after and highest-paid players in the game. If online media estimates are accurate, Kolbe earns between ZAR15 million and ZAR20 million a year.

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Currently playing for Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan’s League One, he is on the brink of 50 Test caps and is expected to be a key figure in South Africa’s title defence in Australia next year. However, it is off the field where he is making his most significant strides.

Setting himself up for life after rugby, Kolbe is involved in several projects, including the Cheslin Kolbe Foundation. Through the foundation, Cheslin and his wife, Layla, provide access and holistic support to enhance education and opportunities for children in underserved communities.

Michael Yormark, President of Roc Nation Sports International (the global agency that represents Kolbe), waxed lyrical about the player’s off-field performance.

“As great as Cheslin is on the field, he is actually better off the field,” Yormark told @JanDKrugby in a one-on-one chat.

Kolbe cares deeply about his roots in Kraaifontein, Cape Town – specifically the neighbourhood of Scottsville, where he was born on October 28, 1993. Rising from a challenging, gang-ridden area, he overcame the odds with his signature footwork to become a legend of the game.

Yormark described Kolbe as a “big-hearted” and “humble” person who consistently gives back to the community where he grew up and went to school.

“For a man who has accomplished as much as he has, he has not forgotten the journey or the people that helped him get there,” Yormark said.

“That is why South Africa remains so important to him, regardless of where his playing career takes him. He is a spectacular human being with great values; it has been a pleasure watching him grow and mature.”

While focusing on being the best he can be in every match, Kolbe understands that his current success is the foundation for his future.

“He has leveraged his success on the field to create commercial and investment opportunities,” Yormark noted. “Cheslin realised at a young age that a playing career is a very short period compared to the rest of his life.”

There is a well-documented list of professional players who did not prepare for retirement and now struggle. Kolbe serves as a role model for young players entering the professional ranks, exemplifying the importance of long-term planning.

“He is in a position to do what he wants to do after rugby, as opposed to what he may have to do,” Yormark explained.

“When you look at his activities off the field, it is clear he is planning for the next chapter through long-term partnerships with high-profile brands such as Nike, Investec, Engen and L’Oreal Paris.”

By going above and beyond for these brands, Kolbe ensures these partners will stay with him long after his playing days are over.

“Cheslin and Layla are making very smart investments. He is giving himself ‘optionality’,” Yormark added. “When you retire, you want options, and that is exactly what Cheslin is creating.”

The Kolbes have not forgotten their roots. Through their foundation, they support individuals and families to elevate them from often dire circumstances. Roc Nation Sports International ensures that support for the foundation is a pillar of every commercial relationship Kolbe enters. While international brands benefit from Kolbe’s image rights, they also “give back” to South Africa.

“It is a big part of our overall strategy – not only to support Cheslin, but to play an important role in the foundation’s mission,” Yormark said.

Kolbe is as entrepreneurial off the field as he is creative on it. Yormark describes him as an “extraordinarily bright” man with a thirst for business, constantly networking and developing future partnerships. However, he also notes that post-rugby life will involve much more “family time” in the Kolbe household.

“He is a great negotiator,” the RNSI boss said. “He provides a lot of great insight, and we go back and forth a lot. He is not afraid to push hard or stand up for what he believes in, but he is always fair. He can be aggressive in a positive way to maximise opportunities for his family. Even as a seasoned business veteran, I always learn something from my conversations with Cheslin.”

Yormark quipped that Kolbe, recognised for his speed and agility on the pitch, likes to “move fast” in the boardroom, too.

“Speed wins in business,” Yormark told @JanDKrugby.

“The man likes to go fast. There were meetings in those boardrooms where it’s as if he is ‘dancing’ with those feet just as he does on the field. It is a joy to see.”

His passion, hard work, and desire to prove the doubters wrong have fuelled a journey to the very top of the game, cementing his legacy as a two-time Rugby World Cup champion.

@JanDKrugby