Cheslin Kolbe will miss the remainder of South Africa's 2025 season after breaking his jaw in the third Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks in Soweto, with Stormers director of rugby John Dobson confirming the wing is unavailable for the Springboks' ongoing tour.
Dobson places Kolbe's return at roughly two months from the date of the injury, making him available for the Stormers from the start of December. "He's not going to make the Springboks tour but he's available for us from the start of December, our first game back," Dobson said. "He's attending team meetings; he's so involved. We can't wait to have him."
Dobson left a slim door open for Kolbe to feature in the later stages of South Africa's Nations Championship campaign but acknowledged he was not close enough to the Springbok medical setup to say with certainty. "I'm sure the Springboks are going to miss him on the end of your tour. I don't know if he makes it, maybe later on in the tour, I'm not close enough to it."
The injury has also delayed Kolbe's second Stormers debut following his return to Cape Town after nine years abroad with Toulouse, RC Toulon and Suntory Sungoliath.
Speaking on the For the Love of Rugby South Africa podcast alongside Steven Kitshoff, Kolbe described the jaw fracture — his second — as the most frustrating injury he has endured. Restricted to a liquid diet, he has resorted to blending foods including steak, sausage and chocolate to manage his cravings. "Sometimes I'll just walk out of the house and walk around while the family's eating because it's frustrating," he said.