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Watch: Cheslin Kolbe pulls off a Houdini-like escape act in the Top 14 that would be disavowed in South Africa

(Source/Canal+ TV)

Springbok World Cup hero Cheslin Kolbe has defied conventional play with a Houdini-like escape act in Toulouse’s win over rival Brive in the French Top 14 league.

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Kolbe’s heads-up play saved a would-be defensive lineout from Toulouse’s own five, as Brive looked to kick to the corner after receiving a penalty.

Back at fullback after his stint at flyhalf, the Springbok star managed to catch the ball and pop it back threw his legs, before a teammate prevented disaster in the in-goal by scooping up the loose ball. After receiving a return pass, Kolbe looped around the back of the in-goal to find the open field and scamper away downfield.

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Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans

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Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans

The daring stunt was an incredible piece of skill, despite the inherent risk taken to make the play.

Kolbe’s piece of brilliance added to his growing highlight reel of incredible moments for Toulouse, where he has flourished since leaving South Africa.

Renown for a laissez-faire approach to risk management, the Top 14 can at times dish up comical moments that would cause any coach to pull their hair out, in contrast to the desired style of play in South Africa which has been inspired by the Springboks World Cup win.

Kolbe’s brilliant play seems inspired by the French league’s risk-taking nature rather than the way of the Springboks.

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South African domestic rugby has been overcome by a preference for box kicking and goal kicking following the success of the national side in Japan, leading to some prominent coaches to declare that domestic rugby is in crisis over the low-risk strategies employed by the teams.

Former coach Nick Mallett was highly critical of the play in South Africa’s Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup seasons and decried where the local game is going.

As long as Kolbe remains in Europe, it seems like his endless run of fascinating highlights will continue as he adds to his resume with stints in a number of positions.

Watch Kolbe’s daring save for Toulouse against Brive in the Top 14 below: 

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Hellhound 1 hour ago
Scotland's Gregor Townsend confirms Tom Jordan Glasgow exit

NZ lost a great player there. Played brilliantly for Glasgow and against SA was the best player on the pitch. Caused the Boks some headaches. Slot him into the current AB's team, and they would be very dangerous, especially broken play.


However, the Scots isn't stupid and their recruiting from the SH countries is starting to pay off. They don't have the player pool the SH countries have, nor that of their neighbours even.


I applaud them for being so open-minded as giving those players who have loyally played their rugby in Scotland for years a chance. SA for one have such a vast pool of players that's so talented and could be world class given the smallest chance, but will never get a look in because there is just so many stars in the country.


I don't mind that Saffas play for other countries to further their own careers. Besides, it makes Scotland better and makes for one more team to step up to the big stage and make rugby more exciting than just the top 4 that usually wins.


Scotland may have lost by 17 against a rusty Bok "B" team, but that score is not a true indication of that match. The Scottish biggest mistakes was kicking at goal the entire time, instead of going for the jugular. If they tried to go for tries, they may have been stopped and the score might have been bigger, but the game was on such a knife edge, that if they did go for it, they might have scored a couple of tries or more and we very well might have seen a Scottish upset.


It was by no means a bad effort at all. Tom Jordan is one of their best new talents coming through. He should've stayed with Glasgow. What a loss for the URC Champs. Going to Loftus and getting one over the Bulls is something that not even the so called best team in club rugby could do. Leinster keeps losing at Loftus. For Glasgow to do that in a Final was phenomenal and Tom Jordan was no small part of that feat.


Rugby is truely becoming a global sport now, where the eligibility rules is making rugby a much smaller world, but a much bigger global game. The Scots is most likely the team with the most aliens in their team. They welcome players with open arms. I applaud that. They are a sleeping giant, and if they continue playing like they did against the Boks, despite the results, they will become a real threat for 2027.


I admired how they played. They impressed everyone. I say good on them. Results will come if they continue on their upward trajectory. I wish them and Tom Jordan all the luck they deserve.

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