VIDEO: The new 'pivotal' role Kolbe has in the Bok team
Cheslin Kolbe may start out with a No.15 on his back against Ireland at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday, but the World Cup-winning magician could play a far more pivotal role for the South African team.
Kolbe, 29, was named to start his first Test at fullback in the Springboks’ year-end opener against the men from the Emerald Isle.
In 16 of his 20 Tests Kolbe started on the right wing, playing off the bench in four of his first six Tests.
However, he is now official the Boks’ back-up flyhalf.
With coach Jacques Nienaber opting for a six-forwards-and-two-backs split on the replacement bench, Kolbe was handed the role to provide cover should starting flyhalf Damian Willemse be incapacitated.
Francois de Klerk (scrumhalf cover) and Willie le Roux (outside backs) could both also play flyhalf at a push.
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However, Nienaber confirmed that Kolbe is the official cover in the No.10 channel.
It is a position he often played in during his stint with French giants Toulouse from 2017 to 2021. He has not featured much at No.10 since his move to Toulon last year.
“With the roadmaps and performance analysis we do on the players, he [Kolbe] has been utilised – although at Top 14 or club level – often at flyhalf,” Nienaber told a media briefing on Tuesday.
With Toulouse having carefully managed the game time French Test halfbacks Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont, Kolbe often featured at flyhalf and scrumhalf for the French Top 14 outfit.
“He is a very skillful player,” Nienaber said of Kolbe, adding: “That is the nice thing.
“Having the versatility of a guy like Cheslin – who can play fullback and wing, as well as cover flyhalf, especially if you want to utilise a six-two split – is s quite important.”
Nienaber said that they have earmarked Kolbe for a fullback role since early in his Bok tenure in 2018.
“I would say that after about three or four games since he started with us in 2018, Cheslin was always a realistic option for us at No.15.
“He often trained at fullback for us.
“We just never had the opportunity to play him in the No.15 jersey.
“However, as I said, we feel that this specific game – having Cheslin at fullback – will serve us the best.”
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