Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe says rugby saved him from going down a dark path while growing up in crime-riddled South Africa.
In an interview with Tim Horan on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven, the world champion winger elaborated on his early life experiences in Kraafontein, a northern suburb of Cape Town.
“Rugby was definitely an escape for me, for not getting trapped into criminal activities, drug abuse,” Kolbe said.
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“Because where I grew up that was an every day thing that happened. Most of my mates from a young age are all guys that have completely taken the wrong route.
“I’ve lost a few of them due to being part of gangsters, gangsterism.”
The pint-sized 27-year-old will miss South Africa’s 100th Test against New Zealand tomorrow as he continues to rehab a leg injury sustained in training.
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The electric playmaker was sorely missed in the two losses to Australia.
Kolbe has a happy knack of stepping up in the biggest moments and was a try-scorer in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final against England.
“I’ll be honest, the night before I couldn’t sleep,” Kolbe told Horan, a two-time RWC winner.
“I was just excited, I was nervous because I never pictured myself being part of the Springboks, firstly, and representing South Africa on the highest stage at the Rugby World Cup and in the final. There’s no better feeling than experiencing, literally winning the World Cup and being there to celebrate it.
“The moment we landed in South Africa at OR Tambo in Johannesburg, man, I’ve never seen so many people waiting at an airport and just wanting to cheer us on and welcome us back home. Everybody was together, everybody was having a good time, tears were rolling around the place, the smiles were spreading everywhere.
“What we wanted as Springboks was just to unite the whole country and just give a bit of hope to a lot of people and show them through difficult times that whenever you put in the hard work that you can definitely reach the top.”
Kolbe last month became the world’s most expensive rugby player after switching from Toulon to Toulouse for a record $2.8 million transfer fee.
At just 1.7m and 80kg, he is an anomaly in a sport of giants.
His pay packet is massive – a reported $1.6m per year to play for the powerhouse French club.
https://twitter.com/Cheslin_Kolbe11/status/1440970169749315588?s=20
“I’ve got a few jokes from the boys but I don’t know what the media is on about, being the highest paid player,” Kolbe told Horan.
“I made a decision as a family man and just thought I needed a new challenge.”
As for the historic clash with the All Blacks in Townsville?
“Definitely a massive occasion, especially the 100th Test played between the two teams.
“It’s been a rivalry for many years now and the times I’ve gotten to play against the All Blacks it’s not been easy at all.”