PARIS – Cheslin Kolbe will be celebrating his 30th birthday as well as his 30th Springbok cap for South Africa in the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup on Saturday.
The fleet-footed winger will be a key weapon in the Springboks armory when they attempt to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy a record fourth time. spaceman slot
“It’s another year, another blessing for me, but it’s not about me or celebrating my birthday. I am grateful for another year in my life but to be standing here to represent my country is more than anything for me,” Kolbe said in Preslet, Paris. spaceman
“My main focus will be to go out on the field to express this wonderful talent I’ve been given and do my best. I am definitely looking forward to it.
Kolbe scored the final try to seal victory against England at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. spaceman
“We don’t like to compare ourselves to four years ago. A lot has changed – the team, the culture, the opportunities the players have. It is a team that has developed, that has experience, that has grown together more than we were four years ago. The brotherhood, the love we have for one another, is massive for us.
“Whenever we do pull on that jersey we want to do our country proud. When you finish your international season and you go back to wherever you play, you look forward to joining up with the Springboks team again because you know you are going to see your family and your brothers. slot spaceman
“It is something I get excited about. With the management, the way they have got this team together is unbelievable. We are in a good place compared to four years ago.”

“Growing up, it’s a test environment that you would love to be a part of one day. Playing against the All Blacks, it is history, it has always been a massive rivalry and it has been like that for years, two of the toughest teams playing each other.
“Whoever gets the opportunity, we will play the best and face the best as well. It is going to be a massive challenge but one that the Springboks team is looking forward to.”
Kolbe’s versatility has allowed him to selected as a back-up scrum-half should Faf de Klerk have to leave the field of play:
“Whatever plan the coaches have, it is up to the players to buy into it as soon as possible. For me, with a bit of a sevens background, I have played at scrumhalf or sweeper, as we call it, and I have played one or two games internationally at scrumhalf. https://www.giuseppespizzaandpastany.com/
“Faf has given me some input to make sure I am up to standard in case I am in that position tomorrow night, but I am sure Faf will carry us through to the end. Whatever position I am playing, it is just to have a positive impact on the game for the Springboks jersey and my teammates.”
“Not every rugby player or team gets the opportunity to play in Rugby World Cup final so to do so twice in a row is massive for South Africa.
“Where we come from, what the Springboks have been through, all the obstacles we have had to overcome as a team, just shows what our country means, what this jersey means, [so we’re] not only doing it for ourselves but really hoping to inspire our whole country, that supports us, sends messages to us.
“It is going to be up to us as players to be up for it tomorrow. It is about visualising certain scenarios of the game and how they will go and mentally and physically making sure we are well prepared. We want to bring about a calmness as well.”
Kolbe saays the last time he played at number nine in an international was against Argentina in 2021.
“It has been a few years. I will just do the best I can to make sure I have a positive impact towards the team and contribute in any way I can. You never want to see any injuries for a player, but if the opportunity does happen to go to scrum-half I will make the most of it and make sure I enjoy myself.”
The pocket-rocket reiterated how much the Boks appreciated all the support they were getting from South Africa.
“To the public, our country, our players, all the videos the coaches have shared among each other, the excitement that we can see of all the people back home, it is incredible. We got to see some clips this morning and it brought a few tears.
“To see South Africans making a plan, no matter the circumstances, whatever the difficulties, as South Africans we will always make a plan to watch the Springboks. As Springboks we are really humbled by the videos we have received and hopefully we can do our country proud. We are really thankful for all their support. It doesn’t go unnoticed.”