Cheslin Kolbe: Rugby’s pocket dynamo with a big heart

Many people live by former five-time world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield’s saying, “It’s not the size of a man, but the size of his heart, that matters.”

This quote has managed to spur people on when they are faced with real-life adversities; it has pushed them when they have had to move mountains in front of them.

One person who is the embodiment of Holyfield’s wise words is Springboks Rugby World Cup-winning winger Cheslin Kolbe.

The man born in Kraaifontein in the Western Cape has proved through his sparkling rugby career that size does not matter, it’s really all about heart.

‘All about heart and mind’

A decade ago, as a prospect at the Stormers, Kolbe spoke to a news outlet who’d spotted the youngster making waves in Western Cape rugby, but whose progress had stalled because he had been deemed too small by some coaches to make it big.

Kolbe, who currently weighs 77kg and stands at 1.71m tall, opened up about how he had been told he was too small for professional rugby.

“Size and height and weight doesn’t matter; it’s all about the heart and mind. You can achieve anything you believe you can,” Kolbe said at the time.

“I’ve heard it a few times (being told he’s too small), and I spoke to my father (about it) … how far I am going to go in my rugby. Everybody is telling me I’m too small, and how I am not going to make it further. My father told me not to worry about what people tell me because they don’t have much impact on my life,” he said.

Despite the doubters, Kolbe went on to be a regular in the Stormers back three from 2013 to 2017 and featured in the Rio Olympics in 2016 for the Blitzboks. However, he kept on being overlooked by the Springboks.

Move to France

In 2017 French side Toulouse sought his services, but the move would mean he would not play for the Boks because of the now scrapped 30-cap policy that dictated overseas players had to have 30 international Tests behind them to qualify for the national team.

Kolbe moved to France anyway, with his family in tow, to join Toulouse and his career blossomed … he went on to win the Champions Cup, Top 14 and a Challenge Cup title with Toulouse.

It was during his time in France that former Springbok and mentor to Kolbe, Breyton Paulse, describes as where the winger showed his heart and a never-say-die attitude.

“I always praise the never-say-die attitude when he was at a crossroads at the Stormers, and he could see that he wasn’t going to fit in with the plans of the Springboks at that time. He packed up his bags and went to France,” Paulse said when speaking to The Citizen.

“He got into a new environment, where everything was foreign, and I’m sure it wasn’t easy. But, he made the most of it. He applied that positive attitude and the French style of play suited Cheslin’s ability and game, and he soared.

“He played so well that the international media were talking about him but in his own country he wasn’t appreciated.”

Finally, a Bok call-up

In 2018 Kolbe eventually made his Springbok debut under Paulse’s former teammate, Rassie Erasmus, who didn’t hesitate to pick him despite his small frame. The winger came off the bench against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship, and he scored a try that helped the Boks win the match 36-34.

So far, Kolbe has been a mainstay under Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber and played 29 Tests. He has won the World Cup, Rugby Championship and British and Irish Lions series … and scored many memorable tries, including in the 2019 World Cup final in Yokohama.

And how can we ever forget that charge down of Thomas Ramos’ conversion in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final against France just last weekend. It proved to be the difference in a 29-28 win for the Boks.

“He brings calmness to the team,” Paulse said.

“Ever since he’s put the Springbok jersey on he’s been magical. Although he started his Springbok career fairly late, he’s now such a vital member of that Springbok team.

“Because Willie (le Roux) has been on the bench recently, Cheslin is now the leader of the backline; he certainly likes the responsibility. I can tell you now he’s enjoying his rugby.”

If the Springboks emerge victorious from their semi-final clash against England on Saturday evening at the Stade de France in Paris, you can be sure Kolbe would have played his part in the victory.