Two-time World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe scored his first try in Suntory Sungoliath’s entertaining 44-36 victory over Kobe Steelers at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.
Springbok speedster Kolbe, 30, who joined Suntory from Toulon after the World Cup, crossed after 62 mins for his maiden score in League One's top-flight.
Post-match the Roc Nations-represented star received a voucher for a year’s supply of Premium Malt’s Lager and Jim Beam highball cocktails from the club’s owners, Suntory Holdings, a leading Japanese brewing and distilling company.
Last season’s semi-finalists Suntory are currently third in Division 1 with three wins from their opening four games.
The top four teams at the end of the season advance to the play-offs in May.
The game was a tug-of-war between two of the league’s most talked about sides whose ranks were both replete with stars of the sport.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane got one over World Player of the Year Ardie Savea and Kobe’s co-captain Brodie Retallick.
The visitors had their moments and looked the better side at times with former All Black Ngani Laumape and wing Junta Hamano shining in Tokyo.
The reliable kicking of young Japanese fly-half Mikiya Takamoto, who continues to impress as Argentine stalwart Nicolás Sánchez waits for his first League One start, pushed Suntory over the line.
“First one for the year,” said crowd favourite Kolbe (above) on Instagram.
“Great to get the win and score my first try for Suntory Sungoliath.”
Suntory travel to Shizuoka to play Kwagga Smith’s Blue Revs - who are sixth in the table with two wins and two losses this season - on Saturday.
The game will be broadcast domestically on J SPORTS 1, TOKYO MX and J SPORTS On Demand.
Pictures courtesy of Suntory Sungoliath
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