[ad_1]
Cheslin Kolbe of Toulouse watches during the European Champions Cup match against Gloucester at Stade Ernest-Wallon in Toulouse on January 19, 2020.
Springboks Rugby World Cup Winner Cheslin kolbe he said on Monday he wants to be a part of next year’s “incredible” tour of the British and Irish Lions to South Africa.
Register your interest in South Africa 2021 British & Irish Lions tickets
Kolbe, 26, will perform when the visitors return to the rainbow nation for the first time since the host series’ victory 12 years ago.
“I saw it in 2009 and since I told myself that I definitely want to be a part of it,” he said during a press conference.
“Seeing the atmosphere, the way the stadiums were packed, the amount of time that goes into when the British and Irish Lions come, it’s amazing. It’s a team that I want to be a part of and play in those three events.”
The three-quarter Toulouse, who won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Sevens, were forced to choose between performing at next year’s Tokyo Games, which have been rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic, or taking on the Warren Gatland’s men.
“It was difficult with the Lions being at the same time. Being a part of the Olympics in 2016 and experiencing that was incredible,” he said.
“Playing against athletes from all over the world and meeting athletes in the Olympic village are things you want to be a part of,” he added.
Kolbe was a teenager when the world champions beat the Lions 2-1 and has a clear memory of the second test in Pretoria.
“Morne Steyn, playing at Loftus, so he knew the stadium, taking that penalty from beyond the midline,” he said.
“The moment with all the green jerseys on their feet and they went crazy for the winning points. That was one of the highlights.
“Playing against the Lions, because they are made from different countries, it makes it that much more special and playing against the best; that’s who you want to play against and how you want to see where you are as a player.”
Ahead of the tour, which runs from July 3 to August 7, Kolbe is expected to participate for the Boks during the Rugby Championship later this year, so he will not be available to Top 14 winners. of 2019 for more than a month.
Kolbe called on the national leagues and the national unions to work together to create a schedule that reduces fighting.
“If international matches come up, you have to be available for your national team, but the clubs need to have an understanding in terms of when and how they need the players so that the players can plan,” he said.
“It’s definitely difficult for clubs to lose players to internationals, but it also gives them an opportunity to perform on the national stage.”
