Cheslin Kolbe: Springbok newcomers key to SA's Rugby Championship success

South Africa have been in fine form this year, winning seven out of eight of their Tests played in 2024 with their only blip being a narrow defeat against Ireland in Durban.

The Boks put that disappointment behind them and hit the ground running in the Rugby Championship where they have won all four of their matches.

South Africa will do battle with Argentina for Rugby Championship title in their last two matches of the competition in Santiago del Estero and at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday, September 28 respectively.

Kolbe had nothing but praise for the likes of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Aphelele Fassi who have both made valuable contributions to the Boks cause this year.

"The guys coming through bring a high level of energy into the team," Kolbe told Sportsboom. "I've been trying to learn and pick up from the things they do whether it's in the gym or at training, because it brings up something different to my style of play.

"You'd swear they've been in the team for five years. Their composure, and how well they remain calm under pressure are impressive. They have a lot of new tricks, and I'm trying to grab as much and stay on par with them."

The Boks' impressive Rugby Championship form is due to them claiming back-to-back victories over Australia in Brisbane and Perth before repeating that feat against New Zealand in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Rassie Erasmus' troops are sitting pretty at the top of the Rugby Championship table with 18 points amassed after notching four victories in as many games, while Argentina are in second place on 10 points, followed by New Zealand (seven) and Australia (four).

Despite their eight-point lead in the standings, Kolbe believes there is still room for improvement.

"We're undefeated up until now but we haven't been playing our best rugby," he said. "We can't get carried away, there's so much to improve on and learn from especially the two New Zealand matches.

"That's the beauty of the sport, we have another opportunity in the next couple of weeks, the job isn't done."

READ MORE: Morne van den Berg called up to replace Grant Williams in Argentina