Cheslin Kolbe’s future decided amid Stormers’ pursuit as John Dobson looks abroad for Springbok’s replacement
Cheslin Kolbe and an inset of Stormers boss John Dobson.
Cheslin Kolbe looks set to remain in Japan despite the Stormers openly admitting their desire for the Springboks winger to return to Cape Town.
The double Rugby World Cup winner left the Stormers back in 2017 to join French club Toulouse, where he won two Top 14 titles and an Investec Champions Cup trophy before securing a switch to RC Toulon. There, he clinched a Challenge Cup trophy before signing with Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath in 2023.
Stormers’ pursuit of Cheslin Kolbe
Throughout this period, Kolbe has been linked with a return to the Stormers, with the franchise addressing speculation of talks before he joined Suntory, while director of rugby John Dobson last year expressed his desire to lure the speedster home.
“Cheslin is someone we will definitely talk to. He is one of us. We believe he can fill a leadership role and play until 2029,” he told Netwerk24.
Kolbe initially signed a deal with Suntory through to the end of the 2026/27 Japan Rugby League One season and according to his agency, Roc Nation Sports International, he will honour the contract.
Michael Yormark, RNSI president, confirmed that the 32-year-old Springbok will stay in Japan for the time being but is eyeing up a potential return to Cape Town after the World Cup.
“For the foreseeable future, that is where he will be,” Yormark told The Star.
“It is a great opportunity for him. A couple of years out from the World Cup, you start thinking about what that final chapter might look like. I think every player wants to come home. However, that is something Cheslin, Layla (his wife), and the family will consider at the appropriate time. Right now, his career is in Japan.”
He added, “He is healthy, playing exceptionally well, and has picked up quite a few Player of the Match awards. He has settled in very nicely in Japan, is a well-liked teammate, respected by the organisation, and has integrated into the community.”
A move back to Cape Town looks to be off the cards for Kolbe until at least after the Rugby World Cup, but the Stormers will need to recruit in other areas of their squad ahead of next season.
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Club captain Salmaan Moerat is set to join Top 14 giants La Rochelle, while fellow lock Ruben van Heerden is off to Montpellier. Meanwhile, it’s reported that Dylan Maart has signed with the Bulls.
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However, Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw will be rejoining the Stormers, the former from the Sharks and the latter from the Bulls with more signings likely to come.
Dobson spoke to Netwerk24 this week, confirming that they are in preliminary talks with an overseas-based second-rower.
“Gary [Porter] was injured for a long time, Connor [Evans] has a lot of potential and is coming through and Riley Norton is someone we are excited about,” he told the Afrikaans publication.
“It could be a bit of a rebuild phase at the end. We are talking to one player overseas but it’s just a conversation at the moment and nothing more.”
