Cheslin Kolbe: A weapon in South Africa's rugby arsenal at Rugby World Cup 2023

Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe is considered one of the finest wings of the modern game, boasting a host of accolades, including an Olympic sevens bronze medal.

Recognised as one of the most devastating finishers in both sevens and the fifteen-a-side formats of the game, Kolbe is a paradox of what many would consider the typical rugby player.

Cue the clichés about how good things come in small packages, or refer to him as the small wing with the big heart. Although this may be true, the South African match-winner is arguably one of the best rugby players in at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The 29-year-old is a vital weapon in the Springboks’ arsenal in their campaign to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy for a second consecutive time, and unprecedented fourth title overall.

Cheslin Kolbe: Fleet-footed freak

Kolbe's diminutive stature has been a topic of conversation throughout his career, which has served as motivation to prove his critics wrong. What Kolbe may be lacking in size and brawn - standing at 1.70m and weighing in at 80kg - he more than makes up with speed and dazzling footwork.

"Growing up, rugby was always my escape. I was told I was too small to compete, but if it wasn't me fuelling my momentum then I would not have persevered the road to rugby and I would never have had the privilege of holding the Webb Ellis Cup," Kolbe said in a social media post in early 2021.

Cheslin Kolbe: Weapon in the Sprinbok arsenal

Kolbe was one of South Africa's lynchpins in their triumphant 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign, where he conjured up a spectacular try in their 32-12 victory over England in the final at Yokohama's International Stadium in Japan.

Although Kolbe has reached unprecedented heights in his career, he remains frustrated with the perceived obsession over his size.

"I'm really tired of the comments about my size. I have friends who sent me screenshots of people still saying I'm too small, that I'm not the best," Kolbe said in an interview with AFP.

"I'm a firm believer that this game is meant for each and every human being, no matter how big or small you are.

"I'm still working on it to stay on top of my game because people look for the one mistake. They'll wait for me to miss a tackle to get on the wagon."

Cheslin Kolbe: Running in the family

Kolbe was also a member of the South African rugby sevens team that claimed third-place at Rio 2016, where the sport made its debut.

Kolbe and distant cousin Wayde van Niekerk have been blessed with sporting talent, reaching the pinnacles of their sport.

World 400m record holder and Rio 2016 champion Van Niekerk and Kolbe played rugby in the same team in junior school, where the duo would earn pocket money for every try they scored for the team.

Like his record-breaking cousin, Kolbe is one of the fastest men in his sport, boasting a 100m best of 10.70 seconds. The time which he ran at school ranks him among the fastest men on a rugby field.

Cheslin Kolbe: Bag full of tricks

The Springbok flyer's rise on the global stage has earned him comparisons with other diminutive magicians, such as Welsh legend Shane Williams. Williams, the same size as Kolbe, blazed a trail for smaller backline players during his international career, scoring a record 60 tries in his 87 Test appearances for the Welsh.

Although Kolbe's try-scoring record of 13 for the Springboks pales in comparison to Williams, his value lies in his versatility. Should he be called upon, Kolbe can easily slot in at flyhalf, fullback, and scrumhalf.

The Springbok utility has been a revelation during his six-year stint in France, where he has dazzled for Toulouse and Toulon. His intimate knowledge of the playing conditions, and the France side that South Africa faces in the World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday (15 October), further raises his stock in the Springbok team.

Cheslin Kolbe: Giving opposition sleepless nights

Running out for his country in 28 Tests, Kolbe has demonstrated his value beyond slicing opposition defences in half but he is a rock on defence and safe as houses under the high ball.

South Africa has expanded their game plan, now adopting a more attacking style that is suited for the likes of Kolbe and new recruits Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse. Kolbe welcomed the addition of players that are cut from the same cloth.

“We have got much more depth in the squad than 2019. It is actually scary. If someone gets injured, we know the next guy coming in will fill that role and is capable of doing even better,” Kolbe said.

“The nice thing about this team is that no one is bigger than the next person and whoever gets the opportunity to play, we encourage that person to give him confidence and make sure he is well-prepared.”

Kolbe finally got onto the scoresheet at this World Cup in their 13-8 defeat to Ireland in their pool match and he is likely to give the French sleepless nights ahead of their crucial quarter-final clash in Paris on Sunday (15 October).