While he announced his return to South Africa, Cheslin Kolbe will have played three seasons in Japan. But what is his passage to the land of the East really worth? Answer in statistics.
If you ask a South African who the best player in the world is, they will probably answer Cheslin Kolbe. Beyond local chauvinism, Springbok fans see the winger as a spectacular player, who very rarely misses the national team’s meetings, and who has an impressive winning ratio since preparing for the 2023 World Cup (23 wins in his last 25 matches with the Springboks). This very good form under the orders of Rassie Erasmus coincides with his arrival in Japan in the summer of 2023, where he signed a contract with Tokyo Sungoliath. Attracted in particular by a seven-figure annual salaryKolbe is above all much fresher to play with his country, since he plays fewer matches per season with his club than he did in France (14 on average in League One compared to 19 on average in France).
First two seasons below expectations
Figures to which must be added the fact that the Top 14 is much tougher than the Japanese championship, in which there are still semi-professional players. But while Kolbe announced his return to South Africa As of next season, how can we judge his three years spent in the land of the rising sun? After his bitter end to his adventure in Toulon, has he really become again the brilliant and decisive player that he was for Toulouse? Not right away, that’s for sure. As in the harbor, the double world champion first saw his first two Asian seasons disrupted by injuries. While he was expected to be one of the sensations of the championship after the World Cup, the South African did not convince, with only three tries. He did not appear in the top 10 of any statistical category during a first year saved by his last minute try against the Yokohama Canon Eagles, during the small final of the championship.
Acclimatized, Kolbe showed more to his advantage during his second season. Author of eight essays, he has undoubtedly gained momentum at the statistical level, but a few misses, both defensively and offensivelyshowed that there was still a real gap between his level of play in the national team and with his club. “In the first years, I had injuries and minor ailments that slowed me down. But that’s part of the game,” admitted the person concerned recently to Rugbyjp.com. We actually had to wait until the current season to see the star emerge from the shadows. For the first time, he played a full regular phase (16 matches out of 18 possible) and made an impression by taking on more responsibilities.
Best director to finish
In particular in charge of penalties, Kolbe finished as League One’s best scorer (205 points in 17 matches, 10 tries, 43 conversions and 23 penalties), with a more than honorable success against the poles (80.8%). Replaced at full-back ten times, he invested enormously to allow his franchise to reach fourth place in the championship and reach the final phase. Supported by the former Bordelo-Béglais Tevita Tatafu, the former Clermontois Kotaro Matsushima and the former captain of the All Blacks Sam Cane, Kolbe has this season been one of the best players in the championship, being the one who gained the most meters with the ball (1,421 m), the one who crossed the most (25 crossings), and the second with the most defenders beaten (2nd).
And his season is not yet over, since he was still decisive in Sungoliath’s victory against the BlackRams in the quarter-finals of League One and the title is still possible. So with all that, we could say that Kolbe has once again become the extraordinary player he was, and that his return to South Africa is enough to shake the world of rugby. But let’s not forget that shining in the Japanese championship does not mean shining at a higher level. “League One has grown enormously in recent years. There are no easy matches,” defended the winger. But taking a look at the statistics, we can, for example, see that the best scorer in League One this season is Kobelco Steelers second row Brodie Retallick, author of 18 tries including a quadruple against the BlackRams Tokyo. As a reminder, the All Black has only scored 20 tries in his career… in 128 Super matches Rugby. What, perhaps temper the statistics and therefore the performances of Kolbe.
