Cheslin Kolbe in top form against France during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France; and behind the wheel with his wife, Layla. Photos Lionel Hahn/ Getty Images and YouTube screengrab SABC3/TopBilling
Whether he is charging down crucial conversions or charging down Cape Town’s N1 in his dream car, World Cup-winning Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe has the need for speed flowing through his veins.
Hailing from the ganglands of crime-ridden Kraaifontein, the feisty pocket-rocket – who played a pivotal role in the Boks’ march to Rugby World Cup glory – is one of the fastest rugby players in the world with a 100m best of 10.7 seconds, according to Olympics.
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Cheslin’s cousin is none other than Olympic champion and 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk.
The two “speedsters” are said to have played rugby in the same team in junior school, where the duo would earn pocket money for every try they scored.
Cheslin’s try-scoring “pocket money” will reportedly amount to a staggering R22 million annual salary when he joins the ranks of Tokyo club Suntory Sungoliath, in Japan, later this year.
No wonder the 30-year-old hot-stepping rugby player can afford to splash out on a car collection which features old-school performance beasts, such as his 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R and a BMW E92 M3.
While Kolbe was winging it in France at the World Cup, a video of him and his wife Layla in his R34 on the N1 in Brackenfell went viral on TikTok.
@propersport Cheslin Kolbe spotter in his Skyline! #cheslinkolbe #nissan #skyliner34 ♬ original sound – ProperSport
The comments came in thick and fast from TikTok fans:
@BraBeytell: “I was expecting to see him in a scrum cap ”
@Damien Carl Samuels: “Everyone thinks that car has an engine, but kantie he is doing a Flintstones.”
@Peachy: “When he wants to get to places even quicker, he just gets out and runs.”
Late actor Paul Walker – known for his love of cars, both on- and off-screen – famously drove his personal Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R in the fourth instalment of the blockbuster Fast & Furious franchise.
The late star customised the R34 to his personal specifications and Cheslin has seemingly followed suit with his choice of a Bayside Blue “Godzilla”!
The Paul Walker R34 G-TR sold on auction earlier this year for a staggering $1.3 million (about R24 million).
ALSO READ: ‘Your faith kept us going’: Cheslin Kolbe dedicates World Cup win to wife Layla
From 1999 to 2002, the Japanese automaker produced the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, fondly referring to it as “Godzilla”, according to Car & Bike.
Cheslin, however, calls his R34 “The Mona Lisa of Cars”, and had it customised at Gasworx in Blackheath, Cape Town, last year.
@cheslinkolbe_15 The Mona Lisa of Cars #R34 #teamgasworx ♬ What are we driving extended version – R34ZACH
According to the auto repairer, the engine was removed and Cheslin’s father, Andrew, assisted with the interior and had the seats reupholstered in genuine leather.
A SR20ve (VVL) engine “capable of revving all the way to 9000rpm” was built and fitted “for everyday driving and the occasional trip to Killarney”.
The price tag of the Nissan R34 GT-R depends on the year model. Cheslin’s Nissan appears to be a 1999 R34, which can reach up to R3 million on AutoTrader.
A TikTok video by Zayd Marais shows the BMW R92 M3 in Cheslin’s “fleet”.
Marais revealed he did some detailing work on the Beemer, which retails anywhere from several hundred thousand rand to more than R2 million depending on the year of the model.
Take a look at the winger’s sleek silver whip below:
@detailing_performance Detailed cheslin kolbes bmw e92 m3❤️🔥🍃@Cheslin Kolbe @Gasworx #detailing #carhub #entrepreneur ♬ original sound – Zayd Marais
Cheslin also whizzes around in his sponsored Land Rover Defender, even giving some young fans a true joyride!
@fitkid_liam Just a young rugby fanatic driving with his #Hero #cheslin #kolbe #rugby #gilbert #landroverza #dream ♬ Fast Car (Radio Edit) – Blue Jeans
And then there is date nights with his Landie and Layla:
“It’s been a while. Quality time with wifey.”
And then there is Cheslin the “Rotary Man”…
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