Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe is expected to make his Stormers debut against the Sharks on 6 December, after fracturing both his top and bottom jaw, IOL reported.
The injury will likely rule him out of the Springboks’ year-end tour in the Nations Championship. Kolbe got hurt in the third Test against the All Blacks.
“He is not going to make the Springbok tour,” Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said. “But he is available for us from December.”
Dobson said the club has pencilled in early December for his return, if the rest of his recovery goes to plan. That would make him available for the return coastal derby at Kings Park in Durban.
“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,” Dobson said. He added that the Springboks would miss him, but that Kolbe might still make one of the tour matches.
Dobson also joked about the rest period players get after a long season. He said the three weeks off are usually for “beer and braai” in South African rugby, but Kolbe could not enjoy either.
“At least he has had his rest and is ready to go. We are very excited by that,” he said.
Kolbe’s agency, Roc Nation Sports International, confirmed that the two-time World Cup winner had broken both jaws. The double break pushed back his return to play.
“A lot of people don’t actually know, but Cheslin had a double break on his jaw,” said Matt Norton, the agency’s global head of rugby.
Norton said a normal break of the lower jaw keeps a player out for about four to six weeks if doctors use a plate. He said Kolbe’s upper jaw break was too close to his facial nerves for a plate.
“It has prolonged his return to play time because the bone had to fuse naturally,” Norton said. According to IOL, Kolbe still has just over a month left to recover.
The Stormers are short of wings this season. Only Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas have played in those positions so far. Once Kolbe is cleared, one of them could get a break.
Kolbe was introduced to fans on the field at DHL Stadium a few weeks ago, before the first Stormers match against the Sharks. He has not yet played in the blue and white hoops or the team’s retro black kit.
The Stormers won that first derby in Cape Town. Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw and Haashim Pead all played their first games at the venue since joining the team.
For now, Kolbe is only taking part in team meetings as he settles in at the Cape Town club. His first chance to play is the Sharks match at Kings Park on 6 December.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.