‘Too Small’ To Legend: Erasmus Shares The Incredible Untold Story Of Kolbe’s 50-Test Journey

Rassie Erasmus has hailed Cheslin Kolbe as the ultimate example of why heart matters more than size, paying an emotional tribute to the Springbok wing ahead of his milestone 50th Test appearance.

In sport, few players have a reputation that so greatly outweighs their physical stature. Time and again, however, Kolbe has shown that greatness is not measured by size, but by impact.

The dynamic wing will earn his 50th Springbok cap when South Africa face England at Ellis Park on Saturday, a fitting milestone for a player who has built his career on defying expectations.

Although the Springboks have traditionally been associated with physically imposing players, the Erasmus era has also been defined by the success of the diminutive Kolbe, who has consistently proven that courage, skill and determination can outweigh brute size.

“All of us said Cheslin was too small in the beginning,” Erasmus admitted.

One of Erasmus’ earliest memories of Kolbe dates back to his time at Western Province, when coach John Dobson requested that the youngster be released to play in an Under-20 match.

“I remember that John Dobson wanted to use Cheslin for a Western Province Under-20 game, and he asked us to release him for the game. He said this guy is so good that he can turn a game around on his own. We released him, and he helped John Dobson in that game.”

It proved to be the first of many occasions on which Kolbe changed the course of a match.

Although he was not yet an established Springbok, Kolbe announced himself on the international stage in Wellington in 2018. Introduced from the bench against New Zealand, he intercepted a pass to score a crucial try as South Africa stunned the All Blacks 36-34 in one of the most memorable victories of Erasmus’ first season in charge.

“He wasn’t a regular member of our setup, but that game that we won in New Zealand in Wellington, he came into the setup very late and changed the game with that intercept that he scored.”

Six years later, history repeated itself in the New Zealand capital. With the Springboks trailing, Kolbe once again produced a decisive intercept try as South Africa went on to hand the All Blacks their heaviest home defeat.

Between those unforgettable Wellington moments came another piece of Kolbe magic that has already become part of Springbok folklore.

In the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France, Kolbe produced a sensational charge-down on his club teammate Thomas Ramos as the French fullback attempted a conversion. The thud of boot meeting ball echoed around the Stade de France, and the blocked kick ultimately proved decisive in South Africa’s dramatic 29-28 victory, sending the Springboks into the semi-finals.

For Erasmus, those defining interventions perfectly illustrate what makes Kolbe such a special player.

“He changed the game against the French when he charged down Thomas Ramos. Then he changed the game the last time out in Wellington again with that intercept. We were down on the scoreboard, but Cheslin scored the intercept.”

More than his dazzling footwork or match-winning brilliance, Erasmus believes Kolbe’s greatest quality is his character.

“The big thing about Cheslin is he is a small man, but he has a big heart.

“He serves the team well. I couldn’t believe that he’s only getting to 50 caps now. He has been around so long. I am very glad for him.

“Milestones don’t change the flow or the motivation of the game, but if we win, it will be special.

“We love him, and we are very proud of him.”

Kolbe’s value to the Springboks extends far beyond his finishing ability. The 21-try Springbok has seamlessly filled in at scrumhalf, thrown line-outs and, most recently, taken over the goal-kicking duties against the Barbarians, delivering a composed performance from the tee.

With two Rugby World Cup titles, a British & Irish Lions series triumph and a catalogue of match-winning moments to his name, Kolbe has repeatedly redefined what is expected from a modern winger.

It leaves one lingering question: is there anything Cheslin Kolbe cannot do?