Exclusive - Cheslin Kolbe on injuries, his form and League One

Suntory Sungoliath star Cheslin Kolbe believes he’s still developing as a player after helping the Fuchu side past rivals Black Rams Tokyo in a preview of the upcoming quarter-final between the two sides in two weeks' time.

The 32-year-old double World Cup winner contributed 17 points in his team's 39-22 win in the final round of the regular season on Sunday to finish with a personal best haul of 185 points.

South Africa’s pocket rocket’s try and 12 points from the tee saw him finish the season as the top points scorer in Japan’s top-flight as he edged past Black Rams fly-half Ichigo Nakakusu - who scored seven points – by a single point.

The former Toulouse flyer, who has played at full-back for the majority of the campaign, will continue to ply his trade in the 2019 World Cup host nation for the ‘foreseeable future’ his agent revealed in April.

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Kolbe has shone in his third season in League One and post-match took a moment to reflect on overcoming injury setbacks, his strong recent form and his desire to continue evolving.

“The first few years for me I had some injuries and niggles I’ve picked up but that’s part of the game,” he told RugbyJP.com.

“This year I wanted to make sure that I kept my fitness and contributed to the team as much as I can and in any way I can.”

Kolbe, who has featured in 16 of Suntory’s 18 games, is savouring every moment at the famous Tokyo outfit who are led by ex-All Blacks captain Sam Cane.

“It’s nice to play this lovely game, I want to make sure I’m still developing on the field and to enjoy this amazing club. We have phenomenal players and a phenomenal management team.

“We just need to make sure that we keep on improving and work hard for one another.”

Suntory and the TJ Perenara-led Black Rams, who are making their first appearance in the post-season, will meet again at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium on Saturday 23 May with a place in the semi-finals against Dave Rennie's table-topping Kobe Steelers on the line.

“The Black Rams are a physical team,” said Kolbe who played on the right wing with South Africa-born Kotaro Matsushima restored to the line-up in his favoured full-back role.

“We can take a lot of confidence from the win, but knockout games are completely different. We need to make sure that we focus on ourselves.”

The Springboks livewire also acknowledged the ever-improving level of the star-studded competition.

“League One has developed quite a lot over the years, there’s no easy games in this league.

“We’ll now focus on the quarter-final and try to make it special for the players who are retiring at the end of the season.” Stay tuned to RugbyJP for on-site coverage of the League One play-offs