The Stormers' mastermind, John Dobson, isn't shy about his ambitions for Project 2029, and he's got his eyes set on a big prize—luring Cheslin Kolbe back to Cape Town. Despite Kolbe's recent contract extension with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath that keeps him in Japan until the end of the 2026-27 season, Dobson is eager to bring the Springbok star back to his roots.
Kolbe, the Kraaifontein-born flyer who dazzled fans in Cape Town with his electric play for Western Province and the Stormers from 2012 to 2017, has since been lighting up the pitches in Europe and Japan. After stints with Toulouse and Toulon, his rugby journey took him to Tokyo, but Dobson is hopeful that Kolbe’s heart remains in Cape Town.
"Cheslin is someone we will definitely speak to. He is one of us. We believe he can play a leadership role and continue through to 2029,"
Dobson revealed in a chat with Rapport.
This move comes as the Stormers regroup after missing out on another talented winger, Dylan Maart. Maart, who played for the Stormers on loan from Griquas earlier in the season, has decided to throw his lot in with the Bulls post-Currie Cup, leaving a gap that Dobson is keen to fill with a player of Kolbe’s caliber.
The strategic push to recruit Kolbe isn’t just about filling a position—it's about making a statement. With Project 2029, Dobson is looking to build a team that not only competes but dominates, and having a player like Kolbe could be a game-changer, both on and off the field. His experience, coupled with his explosive talent, could elevate the Stormers’ game and inspire the team as they aim for rugby supremacy by the end of the decade.
As the Stormers continue to chart their course towards 2029, the rugby world will be watching closely to see if this ambitious endeavor can indeed bring a local hero back to his stomping grounds.
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The Stormers' mastermind, John Dobson, isn't shy about his ambitions for Project 2029, and he's got his eyes set on a big prize—luring Cheslin Kolbe back to Cape Town. Despite Kolbe's recent contract extension with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath that keeps him in Japan until the end of the 2026-27 season, Dobson is eager to bring the Springbok star back to his roots.
Kolbe, the Kraaifontein-born flyer who dazzled fans in Cape Town with his electric play for Western Province and the Stormers from 2012 to 2017, has since been lighting up the pitches in Europe and Japan. After stints with Toulouse and Toulon, his rugby journey took him to Tokyo, but Dobson is hopeful that Kolbe’s heart remains in Cape Town.
"Cheslin is someone we will definitely speak to. He is one of us. We believe he can play a leadership role and continue through to 2029,"
Dobson revealed in a chat with Rapport.This move comes as the Stormers regroup after missing out on another talented winger, Dylan Maart. Maart, who played for the Stormers on loan from Griquas earlier in the season, has decided to throw his lot in with the Bulls post-Currie Cup, leaving a gap that Dobson is keen to fill with a player of Kolbe’s caliber.
The strategic push to recruit Kolbe isn’t just about filling a position—it's about making a statement. With Project 2029, Dobson is looking to build a team that not only competes but dominates, and having a player like Kolbe could be a game-changer, both on and off the field. His experience, coupled with his explosive talent, could elevate the Stormers’ game and inspire the team as they aim for rugby supremacy by the end of the decade.
As the Stormers continue to chart their course towards 2029, the rugby world will be watching closely to see if this ambitious endeavor can indeed bring a local hero back to his stomping grounds.