Year end Player Notes....Cheslin Kolbe 7/10

The same height as Shane Williams, Kolbe gave a more than perfect imitation of the Welsh stepper at Cardiff. He was virtually impossible to stop in space, bamboozling up to 4 tacklers in one run. Yes but, is the reaction to his virtuoso performance....but he is too small. Yet he took high balls well and brought down bigger opponents reliably. In a toothless backline he is certainly an attacking weapon and a refreshing departure from the behemoths. Is he a WC weapon? Maybe not, but he did damn well this year apart from one instance where he flew inside on defence, something of a new Bok trademark. Kolbe has vision, is as fast over the first 30 metres as any player in the game and has perhaps the best step in the game....and he is smart. Credit to Rassie for taking a risk on his potential.