Cheslin Kolbe marked his 50th Test appearance with a first-half try and five conversions as South Africa beat England 45-21 at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The 32-year-old reflected afterwards on a journey he never took for granted. "If you had asked me as a young kid if I would represent the Springboks and get to 50 caps, probably not, even though it was always a dream," he said. "It just shows you what can happen when coaches and teammates trust you and believe in you."
Kolbe, who earlier in his career faced persistent questions about whether his size would hold him back at Test level, credited belief from those around him as central to his longevity. "A lot of people thought I was too small, but things happen for a reason. The coaches believed in me from my first cap, and I'm fortunate to play alongside such amazing players with so much experience."
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Kolbe said England were far from straightforward opponents, particularly with a sizeable Northampton contingent buoyed by their Premiership title. He acknowledged the visitors asserted themselves late in the first half before the Springboks reasserted control after the break. "Towards the end of the first half they dominated us a bit, but I thought the boys reacted really well in the second half. We stuck to the plan, built momentum and the aerial battle was a proper contest."
Kolbe also noted that he and Damian Willemse — both marking personal milestones — leaned on the squad to stay composed during the week. "The boys kept us calm throughout the week because the nerves were definitely there."
On his appetite to continue, he was unequivocal. "As long as that fire keeps burning, I'll keep contributing to this team and this country the best that I can. God willing, hopefully there are many more to come."