The inside story of Cheslin Kolbe’s sensational return to the Stormers

Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe will return to his former club the Stormers this summer after Suntory Sungoliath announced today that he will depart after completing his third season in Japan.

The competition’s top points scorer wrestled with the decision of whether to stay in Japan but, having played rugby outside of South Africa since 2017, has opted to make an early return to his homeland.

RugbyJP.com understands that Kolbe, who left the Stormers in 2017 to play in the Top 14 for Toulouse and then Toulon, and his young family was keen to explore options of returning home and his management team was tasked with exploring those possibilities.

His agent Michael Yormack, the Roc Nation Sports International President, stated in April that the double World Cup winner’s immediate future would be in Japan as he quashed rumours of a possible move to the star-laden Stormers.

The Cape Town side, who will host Cardiff in the URC quarter-finals on Saturday, have already tied down Springboks playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu until 2029 and inked deals to bring Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and prop Wilco Louw to the blue and white hoops next season.

© Suntory Sungoliath

Director of Rugby John Dobson, who himself extended his contract with the URC franchise in January until 2029, has stated his ambition of delivering Champions Cup glory and sees fan favourite Kolbe as a key component in his ‘Project 2029’.

As the 2022 URC champions intensified their interest in Suntory’s top marksman, a partner emerged to help buy Kolbe out of his contract in Japan.

Cape Town-based betting firm SportyBet stepped in to pay his release clause fee.

A company spokesman said: “Having enjoyed an illustrious career with Suntory Sungoliath in Japan, Springbok superstar Cheslin Kolbe has made the decision to return home, with an integral part of the move made possible by one of his trusted partners SportyBet.

“In a deal that will excite all South African rugby fans, Kolbe will continue his domestic career back in Cape Town once he has concluded the Japan League One season. A key component of this major career move was facilitated through the financial support provided by SportyBet in relation to the transfer fee.

“A product of Kraaifontein in the Western Cape, Kolbe - who is represented by global agency Roc Nation Sports International - is looking forward to returning to his home town after spending the last few years plying his trade overseas.”

The deal was facilitated by Roc Nation Sports International who also represents Kobe and All Blacks star Ardie Savea as well as Stormers-bound Kolisi.

Kolbe and Savea will clash this Saturday when Kosei Ono’s Suntory, who are captained by World Cup winner Sam Cane, will face Dave Rennie’s side in the semi-finals at Tokyo’s Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.

© Suntory Sungoliath

Kolbe reflected on his time in Japan in a post on Instagram this afternoon. "Japan has become so much more than just a place where I played rugby - it became a true home for me and my family," said the League One MVP contender.

"The people, the culture, the friendships, and the memories we’ve made with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath will stay with us forever.

"Over time, I’ve had to weigh up the sacrifices that come with living abroad - especially the time spent away from my loved ones, the moments you can’t get back, and the stage of life our family is in right now. As grateful as we are for this incredible journey, we feel the time is right to return to South Africa after the season and begin the next chapter of our lives."

Stay tuned to RugbyJP.com for on-site coverage of Suntory v Kobe on Saturday