After years of playing abroad, particularly in Japan, Cheslin Kolbe has announced his decision to return to South Africa. But which club will he sign to – and could it be the Stormers?
The pint-size star has revealed that the move is purely based on his desire to be closer to his family. His wife, Layla, and his three children are based in Cape Town.
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CHESLIN KOLBE ANNOUNCES SA RETURN
In a shock statement on Monday, 25 May, Cheslin Kolbe announced that he had terminated his contract with his Suntory Sungoliath, based in Tokyo, Japan.
The 32-year-old claimed it was the “most difficult decision” of his career.
After playing in the country for the past three years, he shared: “Japan has become so much more than just a place where I played rugby – it became a true home for me and my family. The people, the culture, the friendships, and the memories we’ve made with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath will stay with us forever.
Cheslin Kolbe added that he felt compelled to move back to South Africa to be closer to his family.
He continued: “Over time, I’ve had to weigh up the sacrifices that come with living abroad – especially the time spent away from my loved ones, the moments you can’t get back, and the stage of life our family is in right now. As grateful as we are for this incredible journey, we feel the time is right to return to South Africa after the season and begin the next chapter of our lives”.
In a statement posted by Sungoaliath, Cheslin added that “Family circumstances have made me choose to be there for my family, and that is a sacrifice I cannot ignore”
He added: “If circumstances had allowed, we would have loved to continue our journey here”.
Cheslin thanked his sports agency for facilitating the “next chapter in my rugby career”.
WHICH CLUB WILL HE SIGN TO?
Cheslin Kolbe’s statement has left many fans scratching their heads about his next move.
Will he sign for a South African club, particularly the Stormers, where he first kicked off his professional career?
Cheslin left the club in 2017 to pursue a career abroad. He played in Toulouse and Toulon in France, before moving to Japan in 2023.
In 2023, rampant rumours suggested that the Stormers had offered him a deal of R15 million a year to return, which he declined in favour of higher earnings in Japan.
However, his wife, Layla Kolbe, clapped back at the allegations, stating on social media that there was never a formal deal on the table.
She posted: “I am so sick and tired of having to read articles (about) us that are sensationalised and speculation! And we have just to sit back and watch how our name gets tarnished!
“He would’ve loved to go back to the Stormers!”
Earlier this month, Stormers boss John Dobson revealed that Springbok captain Siya Kolisi took a “massive pay cut” to return to the club after leaving the Sharks.
STORMERS OFFER ‘BLOCK BUSTER DEAL’
Meanwhile, reports claim that the Stormers are preparing to welcome Cheslin Kolbe back to the club.
Despite Cheslin being the highest-earning rugby player in the country, his contract at the Cape Town club will be facilitated by a “block buster deal” between his sports agency Roc Nation Sports, international betting company SportyBet, and funding assistance from SA Rugby.
An announcement has yet to be made.