Cheslin Kolbe further cemented his billing as one of the best rugby players on the planet with another electrifying performance over the weekend.
The Springbok winger scored a brace of tries for French outfit Toulon, who thrashed Irish side, Ulster in a European Championship quarterfinal encounter at Stade Ernest-Wallon on Sunday.
The hosts scored 36 points to the visitors’ eight, with ten of those accumulated by the men in red coming from the Rugby World Cup-winner.
Kolbe dotted down twice in the first half, and was a lively presence on both attack and defence throughout the encounter.
Watch Cheslin Kolbe masterclass in video below:
Kolbe’s performance helped Toulouse qualify for the semifinals, where they will face English outfit Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday.
Speaking after the game, Kolbe downplayed his contribution to the hammering dished out by side.
“Scoring tries is always great, it is the cherry on top of the cake, but I must give credit to my teammates. Without them, wingers are nothing,” said Kolbe.
Cheslin Kolbe
Plaudits for Springbok superstar
Toulouse’s victory on Sunday came just a week after Kolbe bagged another brace in a French Top 14 clash against title rivals La Rochelle.
In previewing the weekend’s European quarterfinals, SkySports’ Michael Cantillon singled out the former Stormers back as one of the in-form players globally.
Earlier in the year, The Times ranked him among the best rugby players in the world, as he came in at sixth place in a list topped by England’s Maro Itoje.
Also appearing in the list is Kolbe’s Springbok teammate and reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was ranked in fifth place.
Bothh Kolbe and Du Toit were nominated for the prestigious prize at the World Rugby awards, with the utility forward bagging the big prize a day after the Springboks triumphed in Japan.
