Cheslin Kolbe has been a Springboks stalwart for the last seven years and has basically won everything there is to win in the green and gold.
The same goes for many of his teammates, who have walked this journey with coach Rassie Erasmus since 2018. They have been there, done that and have two Rugby World Cup-winning T-shirts to show for it.
There is nothing they haven’t experienced in the Springbok environment Or so they thought …
Kolbe revealed on Monday that their pre-season camp ahead of the 2025 international season, which starts on Saturday with a match against the Barbarians in Cape Town, was the toughest one he has ever experienced with the Springboks.
The fleet-footed wing says there were plenty of “dark” moments as Erasmus and his coaching staff put the team through their paces at altitude in Johannesburg ahead of a jam-packed year, which could see them play 15 matches by December.
Erasmus’ mantra has always been that the intensity of their training needs to be on such a level that what they face on the weekend feels like a game of touchies. And he certainly didn’t hold back over the last couple of weeks.
“It’s probably my toughest pre-season that I have been part of in the Springboks,” Kolbe told the media at the team’s hotel on Monday.
“Physically, the whole squad is doing well. There is a reason why we go up to Johannesburg because of the altitude.
“But it does bring the best out of everyone, it’s tough and pushes you to the limit, where you get into a dark place. It brings everyone’s character to the fore, to show what it takes in those dark moments … to get out of there and just hang in there.
“It’s been good preparation.”
The intensity of the training must have been a massive eye opener for the newbies in the Bok team. Erasmus has been actively busy with the rebuild since last year, as many of his banker players such as Kolbe are on the wrong side of 30 as they head into the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Last year Erasmus used a total of 50 players, blooding 12 rookies to build capacity over the next few years before they go and defend their title Down Under in two years’ time.
Kolbe is certainly enjoying the injection of new blood, saying the competition for places is keeping everybody sharp.
“The young talent is unbelievable. It keeps each and everyone of us on our toes. They are pushing for positions and we are pushing for positions,” Kolbe added.
“It brings the best out of each and everyone of us, and whoever gets the opportunity on game day, we have to make sure that we prepare well and do the business on the weekend.”
A number of those players are likely to get a run against a Barbarians team who haven’t even finalised their squad for Saturday’s match at the DHL Stadium this weekend.
Kolbe himself is looking forward to playing the Baabaas, who normally play the sort of game that is quite close to his heart – an expansive game with a lot more running than kicking.
In the past a Barbarians game would be a festival of rugby, closing out a tough season with a match where players can play with a bit more freedom.
But, because the Barbarians basically kick off the Boks’ campaign, they are taking it very seriously. This match is seen as the platform to kick-start their season.
“I haven’t played against the BaaBaas before, but just watching them, it’s definitely a team that chucks the ball around,” Kolbe said.
“But they have quite a lot of experienced players in their squad. I’m sure it’s for a reason, to bring a bit of calm amongst the chaos.
“Each and everyone of us is competitive, no matter what team we play for. I’m sure for them it’s going to be a good week, but we have to focus and stay in our environment and prepare as well as we can for the coming weekend.
“We are preparing for the match as if it is a Test match, we’re not looking down at it at all. We know what we are preparing for and what we want to get out of it as a Springboks team.”
@JohnGoliath82
