Cheslin Kolbe relishing ‘unbelievable’ Duhan van der Merwe challenge

South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe, fresh from winning the French Top 14 title with Toulouse, says he is relishing the prospect of facing the British and Irish Lions’ “unbelievable” Duhan van der Merwe this summer.

Kolbe’s club claimed a league and European double by beating La Rochelle 18-8 at the Stade de France on Friday, but the 27-year-old’s focus has immediately turned to the Lions’ tour of the Rainbow Nation.

South African-born van der Merwe trained alongside Kolbe at a national rugby sevens camp in 2012 before moving overseas and eventually qualifying for Scotland on residency grounds last year.

Cheslin Kolbe of South Africa beats the tackles of Owen Farrell and Joe Marler to score the second try as Anthony Watson of England looks dejected during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Final between England and South Africa at International Stadium Yokohama on November 02, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland breaks past Mark Wilson of England to score his sides first try during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on February 06, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The 26-year-old is one of six back-three players in the tourists’ squad for the nine-game schedule which includes three Tests against the Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks in July and August.

“He’s an unbelievable player. I think he’s got everything a winger needs,” Kolbe said.

“The British and Irish Lions, the team they’ve announced and the back-three they’ve announced, there are guys that can run with the ball, they’re good on defence.

“They’ve got a good balance,” Kolbe added.

Cheslin Kolbe ready to live the dream

Kolbe watched the Lions’ 2009 tour to South Africa as a high school student in the Western Cape.

“Playing against the Lions, it only comes every 12 years, so it’s definitely massive,” Kolbe said.

“The focus is just to get the preparation done and the little details when we join up with the Boks.”

The three-match series comes after a long campaign for Kolbe, where he has scored nine tries in 23 matches in a period stretching back almost 13 months.

The Springboks’ last Test was the 2019 World Cup final drubbing of England, although some players featured in an intra-squad game last October.

“I can’t complain, I’m still young,” Kolbe said.

“We haven’t played internationally for a year now. What I’ve heard from the boys in camp is that preparation is going really well, even if it’s tough.

“Coming out of a season, going into a new Boks season, getting pre-season done it’s going to be challenging but something I’m looking forward to.”

– No crowd ‘pity’ –

On Friday the Olympic bronze medallist faced two fellow Boks three-quarters in La Rochelle’s Dillyn Leyds and Raymond Rhule.

The pair missed out on selection from Jacques Nienaber’s squad despite scoring 15 tries between them this term.

“I feel for Dillyn and Raymond, they’ve had unbelievable seasons for La Rochelle,” Kolbe said.

“They’ve played great rugby but at the end of the day it’s what the coaches want.”

Toulouse’s South African wing Cheslin Kolbe (R) scores a try during the French Top 14 rugby union match between Toulouse (Stade Toulousain) and La Rochelle (Stade Rochelais) at The Stade Ernest-Wallon in Toulouse, south-western France on September 12, 2020. (Photo by Frederic SCHEIBER / AFP)

Kolbe will fly home on Monday after title celebrations and receiving a second Covid-19 vaccine.

The Lions will head to South Africa next week but no spectators will be allowed at games due to the worsening Covid-19 pandemic.

South Africa is the continent’s worst-hit country, with more than 1.8 million cases and over 59,000 deaths.

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“It’s a difficult time especially with the numbers rising with winter back home,” Kolbe said.

“It’s just a pity we can’t get supporters in the stadium. The atmosphere would have been unbelievable, crazy.”

© Agence France-Presse