Cape Town – Layla Kolbe has paid an emotional tribute to her husband, Springbok star Cheslin Kolbe, following South Africa’s 45-21 victory over England, which marked his 50th Test appearance.
The Springboks kicked off their Nations Championship campaign with a convincing win over England at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Kolbe reaching the milestone of 50 Test caps.
Taking to social media after the match, Layla shared a photo of herself and the couple’s children watching the game and reflected on the sacrifices their family has made throughout Kolbe’s rugby career.
“People see the 80 minutes. We live everything in between,” she wrote.
Layla said that while supporters witness the excitement of match days, they often do not see the personal sacrifices made by players and their families.
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“They see the crowds, the anthem, the victories and the milestones. They don’t always see the birthdays celebrated without Dad. The school concerts, sports days, Father’s Day school activities, bedtime routines, supper times and all the ordinary moments that happen while he’s away.
“For much of the year, I hold the fort at home.”
She revealed that rugby plays a constant role in their household, helping their children stay connected to their father while he is away on national duty.
“Our TV is almost always on rugby.
“We watch old matches, highlights and YouTube clips of Dad. It’s our way of keeping him close when he’s far away and helping them understand why Dad isn’t always home.”
Layla also spoke about the emotional toll that public criticism can have on players and their families.
“There are moments you wish he could be at every birthday, every school match, every ordinary Tuesday.
“Then there are the other parts people don’t see.
“The criticism. The headlines. The comments. The trolls. It’s easy to forget there’s a husband, a father, children and a family reading those words too. People see one performance. We see the hours of preparation, the injuries, the sacrifices, the pressure and the heart behind every time he pulls on that jersey.”
She concluded her tribute by celebrating her husband’s latest career milestone and expressing her faith.
“Here’s to 50 and to many more! Because with God all things are possible!”
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
