Cheslin Kolbe can be the Springboks’ new secret weapon Down Under.
That’s the view of South Africa assistant coach Matt Proudfoot after his former Stormers colleague was called up by Rassie Erasmus for the Rugby Championship tour to Australasia last Friday.
The hotstepping backliner can slot in on either wing or at fullback as the Boks look to get back to winning ways after losing to Argentina in their last match just over a week ago.
Rassie will be hoping that the 24-year-old from Kraaifontein with the jet heels can add some X-factor to his team after impressing in the French Top 14 league with Toulouse.
And Proudfoot says that Kolbe can be the Boks’ magic man.
The forwards coach says: “We are excited to have Cheslin in the side; I think he deserves his chance in the group because I think he has really performed well [in France for Toulouse].
“He’s an exciting player and he can create out of nothing and I think we’re looking for that extra zip.
“I obviously know him well from my coaching days at the Stormers, and he is type of player who can really create something out of nothing.”
Erasmus, who will tomorrow name his squad to play Australia in Brisbane this Saturday, has hinted that he will bed Kolbe into his plans slowly.
However, according to Proudfoot, Kolbe can pull a rabbit out of the hat for him against the Wallabies and be ready to face the All Blacks next Saturday.