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Springbok hero Cheslin Kolbe leaves pitch in tears after being carted off
By Kim Ekin
The Springboks camp face a nervous wait after South Africa's 2019 World Cup hero Cheslin Kolbe left Toulon's match against Lyon on a cart.
He appeared to suffer a foot injury after scoring a try late in the first half.
Toulon's No 14 injected into the back line on the opposite side where he took the outside on Lyon's centre.
Kolbe had enough pace to slice through and evaded a cover tackle by diving across the line to score in the 36th minute.
He attempted to roll back upright in one motion before immediately clutching at his right foot and falling back to the ground.
Medics and teammates rushed to his attention as a visibly upset Kolbe lay on the ground holding his foot.
The 29-year-old was carted off the 4G surface at Stade de Gerland with fears now that the star could miss the World Cup in France which is less than six months away.
France's TV broadcaster Canal+ reported that he had suffered a sprained ankle as he bounced off the ground but he will likely undergo scans will confirm the extent of the injury.
Kolbe’s time at Toulon has been marred with injuries but this season he had found some consistency on the right wing.
After six outings in the first 15 weeks, the Springbok star had played eight straight rounds in the Top 14 as well as two Challenge Cup games.
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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