The Stormers can’t afford to bring back Cheslin Kolbe to the Mother City, but coach John Dobson has hinted that they are in talks with Warrick Gelant.
Kolbe left his French club Toulon on Monday by mutual agreement and while it would have made sense for the former Stormers to return to the Streeptruie where he played between 2013 and 2017, Dobson says the 29-year-old is te duur for his franchise.
The coach tells Cape Talk: “[We were in discussion] last week and they came back with a number that was probably the GDP of Lesotho…
Despite a top performance in the Challenge Cup final, Toulon have decided to part ways with Cheslin Kolbe.
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 30, 2023
Still only 29 years old where do you want to see Kolbe play next? 💪 pic.twitter.com/8qPgtWqEVx
“We’re under administration and to get one of the world’s galacticos for that number was impossible. But we need to strengthen our outside backs, with [Seabelo] Senatla’s serious injury [after a car accident] we are paper thin and need to strengthen there.”
Dobson says of their transfer plans for next season: “Ernst van Rhyn is going to Sale, Kitsie [Steven Kitshoff who’s going to Ulster] you can’t replace, he is irreplaceable.
“We’ve got Sti [Sithole] coming from the Lions and we’re working on another prop. We need the equity deal, we are under administration. My feeling is that things are going to have to move very quickly, otherwise we could miss the jump [transfer season].
“The Bulls and Sharks are responding to us being double shield winners…”
He adds: “The prop will come in and maybe two, but we’re now scrambling for two proper game-breaking backs.
“One of them may have played fullback for us the season before last. We’re trying...”