Kolbe ends forward dominance to become South Africa's number one

When you think about South African rugby, physical beheamouths spring to mind.

Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield, Pieter Steph du Toit or any member of their renowned 'Bomb Squad' are what you associate with Springbok rugby or potentially a deadeye goal kicker like Handre Pollard or Frans Steyn, who knock over the obligatory kicks at goal that reward their dominance up front.

Last week, Cheslin Kolbe became the first backline player to win SA Rugby Men's Player of the Year since 2013 beating fellow nominees Damian de Allende, Etzebeth, Ox Nche and du Toit.

The 31-year-old enjoyed a remarkable 2024 for the Springboks making nine appearances and scoring four tries, including a phenomenal two-try performance at Allianz Stadium in South Africa's win over England last autumn, which saw him finally surpass the piano shifters to the award.

Kolbe thrives on the biggest of occasions, who can forget his outlandish finishes to settle the 2021 Lions Series and 2019 World Cup final? And what about his conversion charge down on Thomas Ramos in the 2023 World Cup quarter-finals?

To add to those big game contributions, the diminutive wing got on the scoresheet in September as his side secured their first Rugby Championship since 2019 with a final round 48-7 win over Argentina.

But it's not just his try scoring which sets him apart, his work under the high ball for a back that's only 5ft 7inch is often undervalued and his defensive work/reading of the game is some of the best the sport has ever seen.

In an era where wingers are looking more like back row's (Tommy Freeman, Duhan van der Merwe, James Lowe), Kolbe's athleticism and silky skills are a pleasure to absorb.