The Kolbes’ R15-million a year lie

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Cheslin Kolbe asked the Stormers for R15-million a year to return to Cape Town, they agreed to the amount and he turned them down, writes ZELIM NEL.

Kolbe’s wife, Layla, this week lashed out at “reputable news reporters doing the most to bring down [Cheslin’s] name” in response to a story on SARugbymag.co.za claiming the Springbok winger had “rejected a Stormers mega-deal”, this after his representatives engaged Western Province Rugby about the possibility of returning to Cape Town and then withdrew their interest in the move.

READ: Kolbe rejects Stormers mega-deal

“I am so sick and tired of having to read articles of us that are sensationalised and speculation! And we have to just sit back and watch how our name gets tarnished!” Mrs Kolbe wrote in a Facebook post.

“First it was said it’s not safe in SA for us, now it’s this!!! Cheslin did not say it’s not safe enough in SA for us. He would’ve loved to go back to the Stormers! Secondly: he did not turn down no R15m offer!!!! That was not put on the table. Yes the wife spoke out.”

In a direct message to SA Rugby magazine, Mrs Kolbe wrote: “Cheslin did not turn down 15 million!!!! It was not even offered. Please I am mentally tired of watching reputable news reporters doing the most to bring down his name. Especially in a world cup year. Come on!”

While it must be noted that Mrs Kolbe’s ire is misdirected as the story first appeared in Rapport newspaper, it is also a fact that SA Rugby magazine had all of the details prior to Rapport breaking the story and chose not to publish it.

As evidenced by the reams of positive Kolbe stories featured on this website and in the print edition of SA Rugby magazine, the Bok dynamo is held in high regard, despite now having twice turned down an opportunity to return to Cape Town where his illustrious career launched from Brackenfell High School to Western Province, the Stormers and Springboks.

Kolbe

As magical as it would have been for Kolbe to have played out his entire career in Cape Town, no reasonable person can begrudge a player for maximising their earning potential abroad. This is why we chose not to break the story about Kolbe again snubbing the Stormers for a move to Japan on a contract believed to worth north of R20-million.

But once Rapport ran with it, we had an obligation to share with our readers a story that was now in the public domain. And we now have a similar obligation to defend our reputation and refute Mrs Kolbe’s claim that SA Rugby magazine is part of an attempt to “bring down” a Springbok hero and a key cog in South Africa’s title defence at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The facts of the matter are as follows: In August last year, we ran a story confirming that Kolbe “had the chance to come home and finish his career as an icon of Western Province Rugby, but he turned it down.”

READ: Kolbe spurns deal of a lifetime

“In response to engagement from Kolbe’s agents, the Stormers packaged a deal of a lifetime for the Springbok dynamo. As reported by Netwerk24, the 28-year-old was presented with a five-year contract to the value of R55-million with multiple perks, including employment for his wife.”

“The offer … included a proviso to accommodate Kolbe’s wish to remain in France until January when he and his family would qualify for French citizenship.”

We were reliably informed that Kolbe had agreed to the offer in principle before he shocked the decision-makers at WP Rugby with a sudden change of heart. It was understood that Kolbe turned down the blockbuster deal on the basis of “safety and security” concerns.

Fast forward to the end of May and Toulon announced, after weeks of speculation about Kolbe’s future, the star flyer would be leaving the Top 14 club – ostensibly because the club could no longer afford to pay the remaining year on his three-year deal.

It had been widely reported that Kolbe was on his way to Japan, but at some point between learning that his time was up at Toulon and making a decision about his future, Kolbe’s representatives engaged Western Province Rugby about the possibility of returning to Cape Town.

The price was R15-million, R4-million more than had previously been tabled for Kolbe’s services. Western Province Rugby remains in administration, but the decision-makers presented the opportunity to an Irish third party who, after some consideration, agreed to stump up the money.

SA Rugby magazine is in possession of correspondence that shows once it was confirmed the asking price could be met, the player’s representatives stated it was not sufficient to meet the Kolbes’ needs and their interest in the move was withdrawn.

The reality is that Kolbe has chosen a more lucrative opportunity in Japan and, as stated earlier, it would be unreasonable to resent him for making the most of his earning potential.

However, it appears as though, at best, Mrs Kolbe is grossly misinformed and, at worst, is openly lying about the negotiations that took place and the extent to which Western Province Rugby attempted to bring home one of Cape Town’s favourite sons.

Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images

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