- Cheslin Kolbe has opened up about the family member who first insisted he wear a scrum cap on the rugby field
- The Springboks star grew up in Kraaifontein, Western Cape, in an area he describes as shaped by poverty and hardship
- Kolbe recalled a remarkable sacrifice his parents made to support him during a youth rugby tournament in 2010
Springboks winger Cheslin Kolbe has shed light on the origins of his iconic scrum cap, revealing that it was his mother who made wearing the protective headgear a condition of him playing rugby at all.
Cheslin Kolbe explains why he always wears a scrum cap
Speaking on the For the Love of Rugby South Africa podcast alongside former Springboks teammate Steven Kitshoff, the 32-year-old Toulouse star explained that his mother set one firm rule when he first took up the sport: no scrum cap, no rugby.
Kolbe said he has worn one continuously from under-six level right through to the professional game, admitting that while he occasionally considered dropping it, he is now thankful the habit stuck. The headgear, originally designed to protect forwards from cuts, abrasions and cauliflower ears caused by scrummaging, has since become central to Kolbe's identity on the field, making him instantly recognisable, particularly to his own family watching from the stands.
The style has resonated well beyond Kolbe himself. Fellow South African outside backs including Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill van der Merwe and Thaakir Abrahams have adopted the look, with the group affectionately nicknamed the Lekka Backs and Power Rangers in rugby podcast circles. Kolbe follows in the tradition of former Stormers and Springboks back Gio Aplon, who helped establish the trend among smaller South African backs.
Springboks star credits his parents for his success
Beyond the scrum cap story, Kolbe paid tribute to his parents for the role they played in building his career. He grew up in Scottsville, Kraaifontein, in the Western Cape, a community he acknowledged was shaped by poverty, substance and gangsterism. Despite limited resources, his parents made consistent sacrifices to ensure he could pursue his sporting ambitions.
One moment that stood out was an 18-hour journey his parents made to Welkom for Craven Week in 2010, a commitment he described as emblematic of everything they gave up for him. He noted that they frequently rearranged their work lives to attend his rugby matches, trials and athletics competitions, sometimes putting themselves at risk professionally to do so.
Kolbe, who has earned 53 Test caps for South Africa, said the determination his parents showed in giving him opportunities they themselves never had remains a powerful motivation, one he expects to carry with him long after his playing days are over.
Source: Briefly News