It is a statistic that would floor most people. A number that will be celebrated this weekend when the Springboks run onto the pitch at Ellis Park to open their Nations Championship account against England, but one that seems just so unreal.
Cheslin Kolbe, the scrumcapped maestro, will get his 50th cap for the Springboks.
The astonishment is not that one of South Africa’s most beloved players has hit 50 caps - it is that he hasn’t had so many more?
That just feels unreal, a stat that is obviously right but a player who many would have guessed would be close to 100 caps - including his coach Rassie Erasmus.
It was not too long ago that there were debates about whether Kolbe’s game-breaking abilities were good enough for international level. Sitting back now, two World Cup wins later, it seems almost farcical that the debate ever existed.
Because the same man who could sidestep anyone in a phone booth, the same player who has the unique ability to be both physical and fleet-footed, is the same player who is one of the first on any Springbok scoresheet.
And so many times he has fired for the Springboks.
So those 50 caps feel almost too little for a player who has had such a massive impact on the Boks.
Even Erasmus said it when asked about the milestone on Monday. It is a stat that jumps out at you, and you can’t believe it.
“All of us said he was too small in the beginning,” Erasmus said. “I remember John Dobson said to me once - he was coaching the Western Province under-20 team - he said to me we wanted to use Cheslin and asked me to please release him for this under-20 game. I think it was like a semifinal or final. He said: “Listen, this guy can change the game around on his own. That's how good he is.” And we released him, and he helped John Dobson win that game
“He wasn't a regular member in our setup, but then - even in that game New Zealand we won in Wellington in 2018, he came in actually very late, and he changed the game again with that intercept that he scored.
“He changed the game against the French when he charged down (Thomas) Ramos, and he changed the game again against the All Blacks in Wellington - the last game we played with the intercept because we were actually down and the All Blacks were on their way to score a try and Cheslin intercepted.”
Erasmus continued to praise Kolbe’s contribution while expressing surprise at the number of caps he has.
“I think the big thing about Cheslin is he is a small man, but he has got a big heart, and he serves the team well. I couldn't believe that he's only getting to 50 caps now.
“It feels like he's been around for so long; I’m so very glad for him. Milestones don't change the flow of the game or the motivation in the game. It is a special moment, and if we win, it will be special for him. We love him, and we're very proud of him.”
With the milestone in mind, here are a few moments to remember Kolbe for his game-changing moments.
THE 2019 WORLD CUP FINAL TRY
Who will ever forget the moment? The turnover from Malcolm Marx, who shovelled it to Pieter-Steph du Toit, who passed to Kolbe. An easy move pass Joe Marler and then the one-on-one with England captain Owen Farrell. The clip has been played over and over again. It has been watched, replayed on so many grass patches across the world.
Kolbe’s ankle-breaking sidestep left the England captain grasping for air. It was magical. It was exceptional. It was a moment etched in Springbok folklore.
THE BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS SERIES DECIDER
The eerie backdrop of an empty Cape Town stadium, Covid hit series, and a series decider, and a tense game that turned into an arm wrestle. This wasn’t a breakout glory game, but in a moment, Willie le Roux launched a counter-attack before sending the ball to Kolbe. The winger sidestepped Liam Williams with ease, then bumped off Luke Cowan-Dickie and finished off in style, giving the Boks a 19-16 victory.
THE 2018 WIN AGAINST NEW ZEALAND IN WELLINGTON
Everyone remembers this epic match as the Boks won in Wellington for the first time in years. But those close to the team will never forget Kolbe’s performance - and how he bounced back after Rieko Ioane had handed him off early in the game to score. Just after halftime, the hunt was on, and Kolbe tracked Anton Lienert-Brown with exceptional ease, intercepting at the right moment to keep the Boks in the hunt.
Then in the 68th minute, with the All Blacks 36-29 ahead, and a Bok in the sin bin, Kolbe pulled off an exceptional tackle on his own liine to take out Damian McKenzie and stopping him from scoring. Little moments, exceptional play.
2024 AGAINST ENGLAND AT TWICKENHAM
Kolbe’s two tries against England gave the Boks a 29-20 win and underlined just how good he is. The first came from a Manie Libbok cross-kick that he finished off perfectly, and the second from Damian de Allende’s break in the midfield, where he tracked well enough to score his second. Two tries and a memorable win.
2025 V ALL BLACKS IN WELLINGTON
This was the All Blacks' worst defeat at home, and the Boks were dominant, but Kolbe’s intercept changed the face of the game, shifted momentum and gave the Boks the impetus needed to take control.
CHESLIN KOLBE’S TRY SCORING RECORD AGAINST OPPOSITION:
New Zealand: 4 tries
England: 3 tries
Italy: 3 tries
Japan: 2 tries
Ireland: 2 tries
Australia: 2 tries
Argentina: 1 try
British & Irish Lions: 1 try
France: 1 try
Wales: 1 try
Canada: 1 try
Total Springbok Tries: 21 tries
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