‘We can’t let it fade’ – Cheslin Kolbe ‘embracing’ new Springboks ‘pressure’ after World Cup double

Springboks star Cheslin Kolbe admits that it is vital they maintain the momentum from their back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs.

Jacques Nienaber’s men became the second team – after New Zealand – to retain the Webb Ellis Cup following their victory in France last year.

The Boks defeated the All Blacks 12-11 in the final to secure a record fourth World Cup title after successes in 1995, 2007 and 2019.

They are now looking for an unprecedented three-peat, but there may well be an overhaul of the squad leading into the 2027 tournament.

Changes following 2023 triumph

Nienaber has departed, with Rassie Erasmus resuming the head coach role after focusing solely on the director of rugby position after the 2019 victory, but several senior players won’t be able to travel to Australia.

That might include the legendary front-five forward Eben Etzebeth and captain Siya Kolisi.

Kolbe is among the many members of the 2023 team who are in their 30s, so it will be difficult for South African rugby to strike a balance between player development and performance.

The South African people have so much more hope now that they have won the World Cup. Because Kolisi has consistently emphasized to the public that rugby is more than just a sport, Kolbe is committed to ensuring that rugby doesn’t “fade.”

“So much has changed since 2019. No one expected us to win the World Cup in Japan, and we were fighting to win some respect back for the Springbok jersey. We believed when no one else did,” the wing told the Daily Maverick.

“There was a lot more expectation and pressure to deliver in 2023, and our motivation was very different. We did it for the country. What also changed was the reaction to the 2023 victory. The celebration was on another level, and you couldn’t go anywhere without being mobbed by fans.”

“We play to unite our country – and it’s a responsibility that extends beyond World Cup tournaments, or even our time in the Bok camp.

“We must use our platforms to keep this going. We started something, and now we can’t let it fade.”

Embracing the attention

Kolbe has become an icon in South Africa following their back-to-back World Cup successes and it is something he wants to build on.

Instead of shying away from the attention, the speedster wants to use it for good, which includes a partnership with Japanese company Value Golf that he hopes will benefit his outreach programmes.

He said, “You have to embrace it all.”

“As much as you want to perform well on the field, you’re also considering your options for the future.

“You spend five to ten years as a professional athlete, but you also interact with businesspeople who have been in their industry for twice as long, if not longer. You have to approach that with an open mind and a willingness to change.

“I make a commitment to exerting the same effort off the field as I do on the rugby field, remembering the struggle and sacrifice that it took to become a player.” I am the same person that I was before everything started.