Cheslin Kolbe from Toulouse to Toulon, the underside of a shock transfer

Kolbe is less prominent sporting

To discover

• The schedule for the new season of Top 14

Arrived in Toulouse in 2017, Cheslin Kolbe quickly won over with his spectacular actions and his devastating support. But it is clear, in recent months, that the South African world champion has been less decisive. He has not registered any more test under the Toulouse tunic since February 12, 2021. That is to say a long shortage of 13 matches. Of course, in the final of the Top 14 against La Rochelle, he stood out by dropping more than 50 meters. But his offensive performance, soon to be 28, is declining. The fault of a few physical glitches which the pocket winger has, it seems, struggled to return to 100%. Asked about this by Le Figaro before the Top 14 final at the end of June, the Toulouse manager preferred to joke and take our journalist down. "

I will, at the end of this press conference, tell him that he has to move his ass.

It's still a shame that he doesn't score.

This little spike, if you can give us a big picture (title, Editor's note), I think it will wake up our best South African player…

”This departure therefore validates Ugo Mola's qualities as an actor.

Another point that weighed in the balance, his long absences to play with the Springboks.

Between the Rugby Championship - which is currently being played - then the European tour in November, his return to Stade Toulousain was not expected before… December.

Read also When Mola (Toulouse) compares Kolbe, lacking in efficiency, to Benzema ...

Less irreproachable behavior

On social networks and in stadiums, Cheslin Kolbe returns an exemplary image.

But several corroborating sources have revealed to us some extra-sporting acts which are less so.

As well as an increasing tendency to claim benefits.

A whim of his wife, Layla, a few hours before the final of the Top 14, strongly irritated the Toulouse leaders.

Who have returned to their basic philosophy: the team is more important than the individual.

Proof that the tea towel is burning, Ms. Kolbe has, as of Tuesday, displayed her new preference.

On Twitter, she ostensibly unsubscribed from the Stade Toulousain account to register on that of Rugby Club Toulonnais.

Childishness for a little personal revenge ...

A good financial deal

Cheslin Kolbe has a good salary.

Not the biggest of the Stade Toulousain but his departure allows the champion club of France and Europe to increase its room for maneuver on the Salary Cap side.

An obligation in view of the ambitions on the transfer market for next season and the recruitment of two targeted players: the center of LOU Pierre-Louis Barassi and the revelation of the summer tour of the XV of France, the back of Perpignan Melyn Jaminet.

As Kolbe had two years of contract left, Toulon will also have to pay a substantial transfer fee.

Which will be used to buy back from Usap the last two years of Jaminet's contract ...

But why Toulon broke its piggy bank?

President Bernard Lemaître had promised a great name to the supporters of the Var. We were waiting for a center, a very poorly filled position. It will therefore be a winger / rear. If the name clicks, some caution is in order. Will Cheslin Kolbe find his fiery legs on the harbor? The bet, costly (between transfer fees and three-year contract), is daring ... But the Wainiqolo triangle, the Fijian phenomenon - winger replaced in the center by Collazo -, Villière-Kolbe can also cause sparks and ignite the Toulon game. We will have to wait until the end of the year to have the start of an answer.