Get ready for a clash of titans! Cheslin Kolbe and the South African Springboks are gearing up for what promises to be a monumental showdown against Ireland. Kolbe, with his signature grace and agility, is unfazed by the pressure, demonstrating the same composure on and off the field.
It's mid-afternoon, and the 32-year-old wing, along with Springboks prop Thomas du Toit and scrumhalf Grant Williams, has been fulfilling media duties ahead of Saturday's highly anticipated Test match at the Aviva Stadium.
These players are the epitome of sportsmanship, steering clear of any talk of revenge. They're not making bold predictions. While Ireland has proven to be a formidable opponent for the double world champions and the top-ranked team globally, South Africa is keeping its rhetoric low-key.
The players treat each match in the Rugby Championship and the November Tests as separate, individual events. For them, Saturday is another standalone game, approached with meticulous planning. The Springbok players are not dwelling on past encounters. They acknowledge that the game will be tough and physical, and their goal is simple: to win.
Though not explicitly stated, each player emphasizes the team's priority over personal interests, happily embracing head coach Rassie Erasmus's methods. The players wholeheartedly support the selection process and in-game strategies, regardless of the specifics.
Kolbe is the most direct in explaining their primary motivation: "I think it’s to stay on top. Standards in the past, we can’t rely on that. They’re not going to win us matches and that’s what’s special about this team. The environment, the culture that the coaches and players have bought into, has been unbelievable."
He further elaborates on the collaborative environment: "The plans that the coaches come up with, and the buy-in the players have, it’s incredible. And whether the coaches come up with a plan, players also have a say, whether they think there’s something better we can do, which is also a good environment.”
The team's mantra is to seize every opportunity. "There’s no A or B team here. Everybody is seen as number one, and whoever plays on the weekend, we make sure that we prepare them as well as we can, and we respect each and every one of us," Kolbe states.
"We just want the best for the player that has the opportunity to wear a special jersey, because at the end of the day, it’s not about us as individuals, it’s for the Springboks and for the millions of people back in South Africa that have been behind this team.”
Kolbe has yet to secure a win in Dublin, with the Springboks' last victory there dating back to 2012. Is this a point of concern? Publicly, no. Privately, however, there's no doubt that adding another achievement to their list brings satisfaction. His focus remains on the training regimen that allows the Springboks to perform at their best on match days.
Ireland's impressive victory over Australia perfectly sets the stage for this upcoming clash.
Kolbe describes the upcoming game as "massive," emphasizing its physicality. He recalls a near miss in 2022, where missed opportunities cost them the win. "It would obviously be massive for the team, for our growth and the way we want to move forward. These games are so close, you need to make sure you capitalise on every opportunity, and they’ve been doing that well over the past few years. It’s a team that’s well coached and has good structure to the game. So, if you’re not up for it on the day, they can hurt you.”
Kolbe, despite not being the tallest player, excels in aerial contests. Teams that have underestimated his ability in this area have learned their lesson. He possesses a subtle skill in collecting kick-offs and restarts, often outmaneuvering his opponents.
He notes the effectiveness of Ireland's kicking game against Australia. "I think rugby overall has changed a lot. Kicking has become a big weapon for all teams, and it helps us as well how we want to play. Just watching the past few games that they’ve (Ireland) been playing, the kicking game they’ve been capitalising, getting into the air and (winning) those balls that creates the scraps. They’ve just been desperate, more than the other teams, to win those opportunities.”
Kolbe shares his personal journey: "I obviously love running with the ball but [high-fielding]’s a skill that I’ve learned since I made my debut in 2018 and something I’ll continue to work at. The kicking game has been a big emphasis in all teams across world rugby. You need to obviously adapt and chase and work as hard so that you can have a positive impact for the team at the end of the day. Whether that’s getting into the air, whether that’s making a tackle, chasing lost causes, it’s all to benefit the team we play for. That’s how we see it and that’s just how the coaches coach us as well.”
So, what do you think? Will the Springboks be able to overcome Ireland's formidable challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
