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ReportSpringboks

Kolbe made financial sacrifices to seal Stormers return after four failed attempts — Dobson

John Dobson says Cheslin Kolbe took a significant financial cut to rejoin the Stormers for 2026/27, dismissing suggestions it is a Galactico or retirement signing and insisting Kolbe is driven by the desire to win trophies in Cape Town.

Planet Rugby
VideoSpringboks

Keo & Zels: Come home Jacques, SA still loves you

World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber did not fail Leinster. Leinster failed him. Keo & Zels break down the Irish backlash, Bordeaux’s physical domination and why South Africans will always back one of the architects of the Springboks’ w

SA Rugby Magazine
AnalysisSpringboks

Leinster failed Nienaber — not the other way around

Keo & Zels defend Nienaber against Irish criticism, arguing Leinster failed him rather than the reverse — and make the case that South African supporters have every reason to keep the faith.

SA Rugby Mag
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Kolbe confirms Stormers return through 2029 as Dobson hails commitment

Cheslin Kolbe has finalised his return to the DHL Stormers on a deal running until 2029, with director of rugby John Dobson confirming the double World Cup winner made financial sacrifices to rejoin the Cape Town side. The move forms part of the Stormers' Project 2029 vision, which also sees Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw returning to bolster the squad.

SuperSport Rugby · Planet Rugby
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Kolbe returns to Stormers with trophy ambitions as Dobson assembles 2029 project

Cheslin Kolbe has confirmed his return to the DHL Stormers on a deal through to 2029, joining Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw in a Cape Town recruitment drive aimed at silverware. Director of rugby John Dobson emphasised that the double World Cup winner has made commercial sacrifices to rejoin the franchise, dismissing suggestions of a retirement move. The signing forms part of Dobson's Project 2029, targeting Champions Cup success.

SuperSport Rugby · Planet Rugby
ReportSpringboks

Kolbe confirms Stormers return through 2029 after Japan stint

Cheslin Kolbe has signed with the DHL Stormers through to the end of 2029, ending his spell in Japan and returning to the Cape Town franchise where he made 49 appearances earlier in his career. The double World Cup winner described the move as a homecoming and expressed his commitment to the club's Project 2029 vision.

SuperSport Rugby · Planet Rugby
ReportSpringboks

Dobson: Kolbe returning to win trophies, not to wind down

John Dobson says Cheslin Kolbe has made a major financial sacrifice to return to the Stormers, motivated by winning trophies rather than winding down his career, while warning the franchise is close to its limit on high-profile signings.

SuperSport Rugby
ReportSpringboks

Papier backs improved decision-making and kicking game for Springbok recall after eight-year absence

Embrose Papier has discussed the improvements in his decision-making, kicking and game management that earned him a place in the Springboks' second alignment camp — his first national involvement since 2018 — after a standout 2025/26 season with the Bulls.

Planet Rugby
ReportSpringboks

Kolbe confirms Stormers return: 'It was always with the hope that one day I would come back home'

Cheslin Kolbe has signed with the Stormers through to 2029, returning from Japan to Cape Town in a deal linked to Roc Nation and SportyBet, joining fellow returnees Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw at the franchise.

Planet Rugby · SuperSport Rugby
ReportSpringboks

Kolbe set to rejoin Stormers in homecoming move from Suntory

Cheslin Kolbe is poised to return to the DHL Stormers from July, ending his stint with Suntory Sungoliath. The double World Cup winner's homecoming has been facilitated through combined efforts involving the Stormers, Roc Nations Sports and third-party backing, with SA Rugby's PONI funding also contributing to the deal.

SuperSport Rugby · Planet Rugby
ReportSpringboks

Kolbe set to rejoin Stormers in homecoming deal from July

Cheslin Kolbe is poised to return to the DHL Stormers from 1 July after finalising a deal that will bring the double World Cup winner back to Cape Town from Suntory Sungoliath. The move, achieved through combined efforts involving the Stormers, Roc Nations Sports and third-party backing, will see Kolbe reunite with fellow returnee Siya Kolisi as part of the franchise's Project 2029.

SuperSport Rugby · Planet Rugby
AnalysisSpringboks

Kolbe's homecoming fills the Stormers' most glaring gap — but this isn't a Galáctico pivot

Cheslin Kolbe's return to the Stormers fills a genuine tactical gap — pacy wide strike power — while Gavin Rich makes clear this is a family-and-PONI-driven recruitment model, not a Galáctico spending spree.

SuperSport Rugby
ReportSpringboks

Papier opens up on eight-year Bok exile and what earned him his alignment camp return

Embrose Papier has detailed the tactical and mental growth that earned him a place in the Springboks' second alignment camp after an eight-year absence from the national setup, with nine tries this season underlining the form that brought him back into Erasmus' thinking.

Planet Rugby
AnalysisSpringboks

Barnes backs Borthwick on Janse van Rensburg — and says playing him against the Boks would have been madness

Barnes defends the Janse van Rensburg call, argues England's chronic 12 problem justifies the selection, and draws an unflattering comparison to Ireland's uncriticised recruitment of New Zealand-born players — while noting the eligibility date neatly sidesteps the most inflammatory scenario.

Planet Rugby
ReportSpringboks

Collins refused to testify as Ntlabakanye faces Rugby World Cup exile

Former Lions team doctor Rob Collins declined on legal advice to testify at Asenathi Ntlabakanye's doping hearing, complicating the tighthead prop's defence. The independent panel imposed an 18-month ban running to November 13, 2027 — the day of the Rugby World Cup final — ruling Ntlabakanye out of the tournament. His camp is expected to decide next week whether to appeal to CAS.

Planet Rugby
ReportSpringboks

Kolbe set for Stormers return from July 1 as Project 2029 takes shape

Cheslin Kolbe is reportedly set to return to the Stormers from July 1, with a multi-party funding arrangement — involving Roc Nations Sports, a third-party sponsor believed to be Sportybet, and SA Rugby's PONI structure — enabling his release from Suntory Sungoliath ahead of schedule.

Planet Rugby
ReportSpringboks

Kolbe set for Stormers return from July 1 as Project 2029 takes shape

Cheslin Kolbe is reportedly set to return to the Stormers from Suntory Sungoliath on July 1, with the deal secured through a combination of Roc Nations Sports, a third-party sponsor and SA Rugby's PONI funding. He would join Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw as high-profile Springbok returnees ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Planet Rugby · SuperSport Rugby
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Ox Nché joins Profmed as brand ambassador

Ox Nché has joined Profmed as a member in a new brand partnership.

SA Rugby Mag
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Du Toit puts Springbok and Sharks thoughts on hold until Bath's Premiership campaign is done

Sharks-bound Thomas du Toit says all thoughts of his return to Durban and Springbok rugby are on hold while Bath chase the Premiership title.

SA Rugby Mag
ReportSpringboks

Lions hit by injury crisis ahead of Leinster quarterfinal as Krappies goes under the knife

Morné van den Berg has undergone bicep surgery, ruling him out of the Lions' URC quarterfinal against Leinster in Dublin, adding to a growing injury list that also includes Francke Horn (hamstring), Henco van Wyk (ankle), Richard Kriel (HIA protocols) and Ruan Venter (knee), while Asenathi Ntlabakanye serves an 18-month doping ban.

SuperSport Rugby