Cheslin Kolbe Urges Springbok Hopefuls to Play Sevens: ‘It Taught Me So Much’
- Cheslin Kolbe has urged Springboks hopefuls to try sevens rugby, explaining how it helped develop his game
- The Springbok star has shared how the Blitzboks experience improved an area he once struggled with
- Kolbe believes young players can learn valuable lessons from the shorter format before stepping up to 15-a-side rugby
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South African rugby star Cheslin Kolbe has urged aspiring Springboks to consider playing sevens rugby, explaining how the shorter format helped to transform his game. The experienced winger represented the Blitzboks in 2015 and 2016 before moving to France to join Toulouse.
Kolbe believes the experience prepared him for the demands of 15-a-side rugby, particularly in defence, where he previously faced criticism.
Speaking to former Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff on the For the Love of Rugby podcast, Kolbe reflected on the lessons he learnt during his time in the sevens setup.
“Sevens has taught me so much,” Kolbe said, highlighting the intense training, physical demands and opportunities to develop his attacking skills in open space.
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He encouraged young players to take advantage of the development opportunities available through the sevens system.
“If I can encourage everyone who wants to make a career out of rugby, go to the sevens academy circuit to learn and develop, because you grow a lot as a player,” he said, according to Planet Rugby.
How the Blitzboks improved Kolbe's defence
Kolbe explained that sevens forced him to improve his one-on-one tackling, an area that attracted criticism earlier in his career.
“I needed to make sure that I worked on my defence, work on my one-on-one tackling because whenever I missed a tackle, I got criticised,” he said.
The experience also improved his conditioning, although adapting between the two formats required him to find the right physical balance.
Kolbe acknowledged the contribution of coaches and teammates, including Neil Powell, Paul Treu, Frankie Horne and Kyle Brown, to his development.
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Why sevens matters for Springboks hopefuls
Kolbe is among several South African internationals who have played both formats. Kwagga Smith and Kurt-Lee Arendse also illustrate how experience in sevens can complement a career in the 15-a-side game.
For aspiring Springboks, Kolbe's message is clear: sevens offers an opportunity to develop skills, improve decision-making under pressure and strengthen defensive confidence.
His experience demonstrates why the shorter format can be a valuable development pathway for players seeking to reach the highest level of rugby.
Cheslin Kolbe explains why he still learns from younger Springboks
Briefly News previously reported that Cheslin Kolbe continues to work on his game despite his success with the Springboks. The experienced winger highlighted the importance of adapting to rugby's changing demands, particularly when dealing with aerial contests and defensive challenges.
Kolbe also praised the composure of younger Springboks, explaining how experienced players and newcomers learn from one another.
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Source: Briefly News
