UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Leighton Koopman|Published
Cheslin Kolbe’s double jaw fracture will likely keep him out of the Springboks’ year-end tour in the Nations Championship, but the good news for the Stormers is that the utility back will be ready for his second ‘debut’ in December.
Kolbe, who picked up the injury to his top and bottom jaw during the third Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks, is set to make his return for the Cape side against the Sharks on 6 December, should the rest of his recovery go according to plan.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson revealed that they have pencilled in early December for his return, meaning he could be available for selection for the return coastal derby at Kings Park. The Stormers won the first battle between the two sides at DHL Stadium a couple of weeks ago, where Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw and Haashim Pead made their first appearances at the venue since joining the side.
Kolbe was introduced to supporters on the field, but is yet to pull on the blue and white hoops or the ‘Men in Black’ retro kit.
Kolbe targeting December return
Dobson said they are keen to let Kolbe loose soon.
The Stormers are thin on the wing, with only Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas occupying the jerseys so far this season. Once Kolbe is given the green light, one of them could get a well-deserved break.
For now, Kolbe has only been part of team meetings as he gets back into the swing of things in Cape Town.
“He is not going to make the Springbok tour,” Dobson said.
“But he is available for us from December. He is attending team meetings, he is so involved and we can’t wait to have him in the team. There is a silver lining to the injury. I am sure the Springboks will miss him at the end of the year, maybe he makes one of the tour matches.
“The other good thing is that he has had his rest, although he maybe can’t eat red meat or have a braai. In South African rugby speak, that three-week compulsory rest period is for beer and braai. But neither would’ve applied for him. At least he has had his rest and is ready to go. We are very excited by that.”
Why the jaw injury has delayed his comeback
Kolbe’s agency, Roc Nation Sports International, confirmed this week that the two-time World Cup winner had fractured both his jaws, delaying his return to play. Normally, a jaw fracture would mean a month and a half on the sidelines; however, the Springbok star still has just over a month left to recover.
“A lot of people don’t actually know, but Cheslin had a double break on his jaw,” Matt Norton, global head of rugby at Roc Nation Sports International, said.
“A normal jaw break on the bottom is about 4 to 6 weeks on the sidelines if they plate it, but his top was too close to his facial nerves so they could not plate it. It has prolonged his return to play time because the bone had to fuse naturally.”