When you think of what the traditional fullback looks like in rugby, the picture that usually comes to mind is a player that is neither the biggest guy on the field nor the smallest. Someone with explosive power, good under the high ball but also has a fair amount of strength behind him to offer himself up as the last line of defence. What you don’t necessarily think of is a player like Cheslin Kolbe.
However, Kolbe has donned the number 15 jersey for the Stormers and Western Province since 2013, constantly redefining the role of the position. Unfortunately, standing at just 5 ft 7 in and weighing 72 kg, he is unable to rely on his size to make him a daunting figure on the field.
Instead, he is able to make use of his exceptional speed and ability to dart past opposing players with some fancy feet thanks to his compact size. Opposition teams are quick to point out his ridiculous foot work and know that once you have kicked the ball to him, he is an instant threat considering he loves ball in hand and can sidestep the best of them.
What Kolbe shows up week after week is that his size, skills and “pocket rocket” speed are far better suited for a scrumhalf compared to a fullback and realistically if he ever wants to break into the national squad, the change in position is a must.
When comparing Kolbe to other fullbacks around the country and even fullbacks from around the world, no amount of skill can make up for his lack of mass. In the current Super Rugby campaign, teams have already shown their intent in targeting the much smaller Kolbe and look determined to put him into a position that force him into one-on-one situations where he needs to defend against a much larger ball carrier. Kolbe is, by no means, scared to make these tackles but typically the Stormers have worked to avoid such circumstances.
However, slot him into a scrumhalf position and suddenly the picture is a lot clearer for all to see. Despite the fact the scrumhalf position itself has seen a change from the traditional smaller player to far bigger players over recent years; their job has always remained the same and easily plays to Kolbe’s strengths.
Kolbe does not lack the talent needed to become a Springbok but one can’t help but wonder if his talents are wasted in a position that he isn’t able to fully utilise because of his size. While trying not to take anything away from him, there is a constant risk of having him at the back as a lone figure because he simply is not big enough to tackle or take down most attacking players who are normally nearly double his size.
Comparing Kolbe to a player like All Blacks scrumhalf Aaron Smith, they are the same height and weight yet Smith is leaps and bounds ahead of Kolbe in his career. It won’t be an unfamiliar position for Kolbe as he plays scrumhalf in the sevens team and has immense ability around the fringes of play.
His ability to make quick steps around far slower forward players will prove invaluable in creating gaps compared to the wide open spaces he usually works with against equally as quick backline players.
Scrumhalf has been proving a challenge for national selectors of late and if Kolbe is quicker, has a destructive boot, slick passing abilities and all-round a very dangerous player in comparison to players like Francois Hougaard and Sarel Pretorius, there should be no reason why he shouldn’t be given the chance.
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