For a third time this season, Kolbe shone at the tee, reaping praise from Bok coach Rassie Erasmus afterwards.
Cheslin Kolbe nailed all four of his attempts at goal, in the first Test agaisnt the All Blacks. Picture: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images
The Springboks may have one more injury concern following their first Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
New Zealand won the game 33-16, after defending well and capitalising on errors committed by the hosts, especially in the second half.
While coach Rassie Erasmus did not want to make excuses for a poor performance or for choosing not to kick penalties, he said injuries to wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe disrupted the game plan.
The Springbok coach also spoke of why the latter kicked in place of flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Kolbe’s cramp, Arendse’s HIA
Arendse left the field after just nine minutes for a head injury assessment. He never returned.
Erasmus said hybrid player André Esterhuizen had prepared to play flanker on the day, but had to slot in at centre, with Jesse Kriel moving to wing.
When Kolbe hobbled off the field in the 58th minute, Cobus Reinach came off the bench to play scrumhalf, and Grant Williams moved to wing.
When Marco van Staden (dangerous cleanout) and Cobus Reinach (deliberate knock-on) received yellow cards with 10 minutes to play, the formation was in shambles.
“Then the game was totally lost,” Erasmus said, the team being 10 points down in their own 22 with 13 men.
“It’s impossible to attack without a nine and a flanker.”
He explained that Kolbe only had a cramp. He should be fine to play this coming weekend.
“Kurt-Lee’s mouthguard pinged, and the match doctor didn’t clear him.”
Even if Arendse is well, HIA protocols could see him out for 10 days, meaning he’ll miss the second Test in Cape Town.
Rassie: Kolbe the Springboks’ ‘most accurate kicker’
Kolbe kicked for his Japanese club, Tokyo Sungoliath, during the franchise season, but in 51 Tests, this was just the third time he was given full goal-kicking duties.
He didn’t disappoint against the Barbarians and England, slotting nine of 11 and five of seven kicks at 82% and 71% success rates, respectively.
The latter was while Manie Libbok was playing flyhalf, though he has a history of poor performances from the tee.
Against the All Blacks on Saturday, Kolbe slotted all four attempts – three penalties and a conversion.
“He didn’t miss a kick. At this stage he’s our most accurate kicker,” Erasmus said simply.
“That’s the reason we picked him. Cheslin was kicking because at this stage he’s our best kicker.”
