This past weekend Cheslin Kolbe returned from injury and made an immediate impact for the Springboks with several influential moments against the Wallabies in Cape Town.
Although Kolbe is renowned for his attacking ability, it was his athleticism under the high ball that set him apart against the Wallabies as he constantly disrupted the Wallabies from securing clean possession after Handre Pollard had regularly set up contestable kicks.
“Do you remember when you were a kid, those compressed elastic balls called ‘Powerballs’ that bounced almost to the moon and back? I’m sure Cheslin’s made from the same elastic, as his ability to bounce off tackles and get off the floor into the air is quite remarkable,” former England and Wallabies coach Eddie Jones wrote in a recent column.
“His work rate is something sensational; he’s always looking for an intervention, a moment of innovation, a chance to change the course of the game.
“For all of Pollard’s brilliance with his tactical kicking, Kolbe made so many of his marginal kicks into winning moments due to incredible chasing and that unreal standing leap that defines his athleticism.”
Cheslin Kolbe thriving as the game has changed
Jones highlighted the fact that there is a good reason why Kolbe – and other diminutive wings – are able to thrive in the modern-day game.
“Sides are desperate to score with as few passes as possible – transition attack is now the key to winning at Test level, and teams are playing to achieve this with as few rucks as possible to prevent the defensive reset,” he wrote.
“How does this affect players? Well, we’re seeing a move back from the flat track power wings of Duhan van der Merwe, George North and co. and we’re seeing them replaced by ‘aerialists’ and ‘evaders’, players like Cheslin Kolbe, Edwill van der Merwe, Rodrigo Isgro and Max Jorgensen thrive, athletes with phenomenal standing jumps, able to challenge much bigger men than themselves and win the contest ‘upstairs’.”
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