Justin Marshall and Jeremy Paul marvelled at Cheslin Kolbe’s performance in Cape Town, calling the Springbok winger “the best player on the planet”.
Kolbe was in the thick of the battle as the Springboks came from behind to beat the All Blacks at a sold-out Cape Town Stadium, claiming their fourt-straight win over their rivals.
Fresh from bumping off All Blacks captain Scott Barrett in the victory at Ellis Park, Kolbe showed his all-round skill in Cape Town by throwing in at a lineout five-metres from New Zealand’s tryline, which led to Siya Kolisi’s try in the second half.
During the latest episode of The Good, the Bad and the Rugby, former Wallabies hooker Paul was left astounded at Kolbe’s lineout throwing, when he took the ball from Malcolm Marx, allowing the Bok hooker to immediately join the maul.
“That Kolbe man, oh my…he threw the ball in! Oh my god! Shut up,” Paul exclaimed. “It was a cracker! Mate, you just pretty much s**t on my entire career.
“He’s bumping 120 kilo players. I’m gonna say it, best player in the world today, Kolbe, there it is, bang.”
Former All Blacks scrumhalf Marshall, who was at Cape Town Stadium as a commentator, agreed with Paul, saying there is more than enough evidence to place Kolbe ahead of France superstar Antoine Dupont as the best player in the world.
“I said on the commentary, I was like, ‘That’s Cheslin Kolbe! Malcolm Marx went to the front of the lineout. What are they doing here?’, and it was a good throw. You would’ve been proud, JP.
“I said it on the weekend. He’s the most exciting player. Antoine Dupont, I guess, but Kolbe is on par with him. The way he has such multiple skills and power and speed across the park. He almost set up or scored a try out of nothing when he made that break right through the middle, he skinned about three very good All Black defenders, making them look very average.
“I’m with you, he’s in the debate to be on par with, if not better than, Antoine Dupont as the best player on the planet at the moment.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
