Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Two of the country's most exciting fullbacks will be on show at Newlands on Saturday when the Stormers host the Sharks.
Cheslin Kolbe will turn out for the Stormers while Springbok No 15 Willie le Roux, in his first season in Durban, will play for the Sharks.
The fixture is one of the most highly anticipated South African derbies of the year, and Kolbe v Le Roux is just one of many tasty match-ups.
Under the Heyneke Meyer era, Le Roux was considered the best fullback in the country and he has now racked up 34 Springbok caps.
But with a new Bok coach set to be unveiled, and with there being a good chance of that man being former Stormers coach Allister Coetzee, the door could be starting to open for Kolbe.
But, being as professional as ever, Kolbe said he was not thinking about Springbok selection at all.
"I think if you’re going to put that into your mind you’re not going to have a good game," he said.
"You just have to take every game as it comes and enjoy it. Hopefully at the end of the day the team can pull through.
"Without the team you as an individual won’t shine. I’m not going to focus on individual performances and try to get motivated by certain players … I get motivated by guys within the circle and the guys going on to the park with me."
"Willie is a good player, but the focus is not just on him. It’s a collective … we just have to put in the hard work that we must do and get the right plans."
Kolbe is no stranger to representing his country, though.
He represented to Blitzboks in all of their first four tournaments this season and is very much in the mix to represent South Africa at this year's Rio Olympics.
"I was fortunate enough to get opportunities at both sides … the 15s and the 7s … but my focus is purely on the Stormers right now because that’s where I am and that’s where I’m enjoying my rugby," said Kolbe.
"I’m just focused on what I need to do … I’m not going to get distracted by other things around me."
Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:15.
