Cheslin Kolbe Says He Learns From Young Springboks Every Day Despite Years of Experience
- Cheslin Kolbe opened up about the areas of his game he is still working to improve, despite being one of South Africa's most capped wings
- The Springbok star, currently sidelined with a broken jaw, shared what he admires most about the newer generation of Boks
- Kolbe spoke candidly about how learning flows both ways between experienced players and youngsters in the Springbok camp
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Cheslin Kolbe is one of rugby's most decorated wings, yet the Springbok star insists he still has plenty to learn — and says the youngsters coming through the ranks are partly responsible for keeping him sharp.
The 30-year-old spoke to former teammate Steven Kitshoff on the For the Love of Rugby South Africa podcast while sidelined with a broken jaw, an injury that will keep him out of South Africa's Nations Championship campaign in Europe. Despite his years at the top, Kolbe was candid about the areas of his game that still demand daily attention.
Cheslin Kolbe's focus on the evolving game
Kolbe says he revisits aerial contests almost every day. Opposing teams constantly develop new ways to challenge players in the air, and he feels the need to stay one step ahead.
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"Rugby evolves every day, every year," he said, according to SA Rugby Magazine.
"Teams get smarter all the time, and up until now kicking has been a massive part of that. Whether that's chasing or getting high balls.
"I think high balls is one thing that I work on almost every day, because teams come up with certain ways to contest and get into the space and you just need to try and counter that."
He added that no player, regardless of experience, ever reaches perfection.
"There's no rugby player that's a perfect rugby player. I love learning, I love growing, and I love trying to bring something different all the time, because you know how it goes: you get analysed."
Source: Twitter
What the younger Boks bring to camp
Kolbe was equally generous in his praise of South Africa's emerging talent, describing the freshness they bring to the Springbok environment as something the senior players actively draw from.
"It doesn't matter how young or how experienced you are: the guy who's just starting his professional career or Test career asks questions in meetings, asks questions from guys he wants to learn from. And vice versa."
What strikes Kolbe most about the new generation is their composure. He recalled being visibly nervous at the start of his own career, while today's debutants seem to carry themselves as though they have been in the system for years.
"When I started, I was nervous. I'm sure they're nervous as well, because they care for the team, but the amount of calmness they show, it feels like they've been there for years or they've seen this before. I was all over the show, but the younger guys today have so much more composure."
Kolbe clearly values a culture of mutual respect and shared growth, and he believes it gives South Africa a real edge as the Springboks continue to set the standard in world rugby.
Cheslin Kolbe’s injury comeback: Stormers provide update on Springbok star
Briefly News previously reported that Cheslin Kolbe would miss the Springboks’ end-of-year tour after breaking his jaw against the All Blacks on 9 September 2026.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson indicated that the winger could return to club action in early December, with the Sharks fixture on 5 December identified as a potential comeback opportunity.
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Source: Briefly News
