Cheslin Kolbe shines as Springboks humble England
Springboks handed England their second loss in two weeks.
But, unlike Australia’s last-second heroics, Rassie Erasmus’s side had the Roses pinned down in the last ten minutes, winning 29-20.
Cheslin Kolbe makes his mark
It was a quiet Rugby Championship for Cheslin Kolbe’s standards, but he looked back to his best with two sensational tries, skipping past Tommy Freeman and Freddie Steward (on separate occasions) to get over the line.
And only days after his man-of-the-match performance, the Tokyo-based winger has been nominated, alongside two other Springboks – Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit – for rugby’s Player of the Year award.
“Making their nominations even more remarkable is that most of them have won two Rugby World Cup titles already and that they have continued to deliver the high standards we expect at the Springboks over several years,” said Erasmus.
“Over and above that, we have used 50 players in our Tests so far this season, and to see them shine among the best players in the world is fantastic. We are extremely proud of them, and we wish them luck when the winners are revealed.”
Springboks full squad
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster)
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Flyhalves: Jordan Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls)
What was your favourite Springbok try against England?
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