Rumours around Cheslin Kolbe's playing future re-emerge

Speculation around the future of Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe is once again beginning to mount after a string of reports in the French press this week.

Reports from French media outlets L'Equipe and Midi Olympique have suggested that Kolbe may be leaving Toulon at the end of the current season. This is despite his previous assurances that he would see out the end of his three-year contract with the French club.

Earlier this year Kolbe said that he and his family were happy in France and that he had no intention of going to Japan: "I have no intention of joining Japan or another club," said the Bok speedster. "After all my injuries, I just want to earn the respect of the Toulon public, my teammates and the club," he told Midi Olympique last February. "I did not have the opportunity to express myself as I wanted. That's not how I imagined my story here."

According to the reports, Kolbe is considering a move to Japan to join the Suntory Sun Goliath. The rumours have sparked speculation among rugby fans.

The reports cite a clause in Kolbe's Toulon contract which would allow him to exit the club a year early under certain circumstances. While the details of this clause are not clear, it is possible that Toulon may be willing to allow Kolbe to leave or be bought out of his contract in order to free up a significant amount of cash to buy another top-level back-three player.

Kolbe, who is considered to be one of the world's best rugby players, has been plagued by injuries since the Rugby World Cup in 2019. Despite this, he has continued to impress when he has made it onto the field for the red and blacks.