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For Cheslin Kolbe, some things are unforgettable. Like winning two World Cups, scoring his first international try against the All Blacks and getting “smoked” by Francois Steyn. The 32-year-old winger, who is returning to the Stormers after a decade in France and Japan, recounted his more memorable moments during an interview with journalists this week. His favourite try was the one in which he danced past Owen Farrell to score against England in the 2019 World Cup final, though another highlight was his first five-pointer in the green and gold against New Zealand in his second international in 2018. Kolbe intercepted the ball just inside the All Blacks’ half and darted through unchallenged, dotting down before executing a somersault, landing on his feet and raising his fist in celebration. The hardest player that I’ve been smoked by was definitely Francois Steyn — — Cheslin Kolbe, Springboks winger That rolled out the red carpet for a career that had spanned 50 caps and 22 tries going into Saturday’s opening Test against the All Blacks. The father of three had no hesitation when asked who had tackled him the hardest. “The hardest player that I’ve been smoked by was definitely Francois Steyn.” It was before a Super Rugby match where Kolbe was surprised when, going through his pre-game routine on the field, he was approached by the Sharks utility back. Kolbe was 14 when he watched Steyn help the Springboks to victory at the 2007 World Cup. “I just celebrated and ran down the street with excitement.” Two broken ribs And suddenly, there was his hero going up to him. “He spoke to me, and I was like, ‘He’s won a World Cup; he’s done excellent things,’ and I just found it quite weird that he came to speak to me before the game not knowing what he had in store for those 80 minutes, and he was all over me. “I think after the game I had two broken ribs just from him smashing me,” Kolbe added with a chuckle, saying another tough opponent was former All Black Julian Savea, brother of the Kiwis’ incumbent skipper, Ardie. Cape Town, which hosts the second Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry next Saturday, has a legion of coloured fans loyal to New Zealand teams, something Kolbe has experienced first-hand among friends and family. “There are still a few of them who support the All Blacks. When I grew up, I thought within our culture, especially in the coloured community, there were so many New Zealand supporters, and I do think it’s turned a little bit. “A lot of them became Springboks supporters because of what the team and the coaches have transformed this team into over the past few years. But there are definitely some of my friends and family members who are still New Zealand supporters. “For me, growing up, obviously I enjoyed the brand of rugby that New Zealand played then. I think one stand-out player for me was Christian Cullen, not one of the biggest okes, but the things he could do on the field were exceptional. “For me, to be a part of this team was a dream since I’ve been a young kid. Though I enjoyed the brand New Zealand played then, the dream to wear that green and gold jersey was always there.” Back to be with family Kolbe said a big factor in moving back to Cape Town was to be with his family, having lived apart for the past three seasons in Japan. “It’s quite tough being away from them for such a long time, just missing out on the small moments, moments that I’m never going to get back.” But he added he had no regrets about his decision to move abroad, though it took him and his wife, Layla, out of their comfort zones when they first arrived in Toulouse in 2017. “It was tough because we didn’t have a support structure and the luxury of having our families just around the corner from where we lived. “I know my wife struggled in that regard, and I think the funniest thing, when I look back at it now, was just going to a grocery shop and both of us just looking at each other and not understanding a single word, and my wife just burst into tears. “But we just said, ‘Listen, if we want to make this work, we’re going to have to be open-minded and embrace the culture and learn it,’” he said, adding it took about eight months to learn French (by contrast, his Japanese was enough to get around and order food and a beer). Special memories Kolbe thrived, winning the Top 14 and European Champions Cup with Toulouse before moving to Toulon and lifting the European Challenge Cup. Those were special memories too. “Just getting to see how the French players and the public embrace winning a Top 14 and a Champions Cup, I won’t say it’s that far off from a World Cup when you come back home to do that victory parade.” Winning the 2014 Currie Cup and a 2016 Olympic Sevens bronze were other milestones. Kolbe’s return home will also bring him closer to the work of his foundation which gives shoes to children in need in his old Kraaifontein stomping ground. “In my community — I’m sure across South Africa — there [are] so many kids that don’t have shoes on their feet. They run in bare feet. The way I am now, I never thought that I would have been.”