What was supposed to be a celebratory moment for South African fans on Friday when the Springboks beat Italy 49-3 at the World Cup, turned out to be a nervous one.
The only thing people wanted to know was if Cheslin Kolbe is fine or not.
The winger rolled over his ankle in the dying minutes of the encounter after an incredible Man of the Match display.
Bok fans feared the worst because, to date, the smallest backline player in the team, apart from the scrumhalves, has stood out head and shoulders above the rest.
Even in the defeat to the All Blacks, Kolbe was great.
But against Italy on Friday, he simply had no equal and put in one of the best individual performances of the tournament to date.
Kolbe had an immediate impact on the game, chasing scrumhalf Faf de Klerk’s exit kick straight from the kickoff to compete with Sergio Parisse under the high ball.
Not once did Kolbe look at his opponent and just kept his eyes on the ball, putting the big loose forward under pressure.
Unfortunately for the Capetonian, the ball went forward off his arm, but from that first minute it was clear Kolbe meant business.
He proved right there and then that he was not going to back down from the brutal physical challenge the Italians brought.
A few minutes later, the winger did get his hands on the ball.
BRINGING IT: Second-choice hooker Bongi Mbonambi scored two tries in all-action display. Picture: Shuji Kajiyama/AP.
Close to the right touchline, he scored the first of his two tries, side-stepping his way past two Italian defenders, proving that even in the smallest of spaces his twinkle toes are a threat to all standing in his way.
So important is Kolbe to the Boks’ cause that in the 11th minute, it was he who received the ball from De Klerk off a “Georgie” Gregan pass in Italy’s 22.
His involvement in the game was telling from the start, as he set an example to all wingers out there in terms of looking for work.
With the Boks again on the attack early on - this time attacking from his side of the field - Kolbe could have stayed there.
Instead he followed the ball and joined the attack in the midfield to create an overlap, but his pass to fullback Willie le Roux was not a good one and the attack stopped.
He finally dotted down for a second time in the second half after collecting a cross-kick from flyhalf Handre Pollard.
But it wasn’t just with ball in hand that he was a threat, four minutes from time Kolbe landed a big hit and drive to push Italy’s fullback into touch. The opposing player then chucked the ball in-field and replacement Bok lock RG Snyman collected it to dot down.
On the evidence of this match, it was clear that if the Springboks had 15 Cheslin Kolbes in their side, they would run away with the World Cup.
CENTRAL ROLE: Damian de Allende. Picture: Mark R. Cristino.
But they have only one and when he got injured, there was every reason to be concerned.
All of us can rest easy now, knowing Kolbe is fine and was walking normally on Saturday already.
Now wrap him in cotton wool for the quarters and long may his form continue.
As for his teammates on the day, hooker Bongi Mbonambi also had a strong match.
Solid with his lineout throws, Stormer Mbonambi is pushing Malcolm Marx for a starting berth with his general play.
And with Schalk Brits also being an option, this is one position that South Africans shouldn’t be worried about as we enter the knockouts.
It was also heartening to see our midfield playing a decent game and looking like they are gelling.
With Jesse Kriel out of the picture, Lukhanyo Am had to step up big time. And he did. Not only did he do the donkey-work on the ground, but also showed some nice touches on attack.
Damian de Allende, too, had one of his better games for the Boks this year, making metres whenever he touched the ball and also did well to keep it alive by finding outside players.
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: SA centre Lukhanyo Am, right, found another level to his game. Picture: Mark R. Cristino/EPA.
Lock Lood de Jager also left coach Rassie Erasmus with a pleasant selection headache heading into the playoffs after another strong performance.
As for the Boks as a whole, the performance against Italy was their most complete at the tournament to date and if they can keep on improving, they will be a major threat to any contender as we close in on the business end of the competition.
Hang on tight ladies and gents, things are about to get interesting.