Cheslin Kolbe has confirmed his return to the DHL Stormers, effective 1 July 2026. Kolbe returns to Cape Town after a nine-year stint abroad that included trophy-laden spells at Toulouse and Toulon in France before moving to Japan in 2023.
It is a complex "megadeal" involving a buyout of his Japanese contract, which was originally set to run until 2027. The move was made possible by a collaborative effort among the Stormers, Roc Nation Sports, and a third-party backer, reportedly SportyBet. The deal also utilises PONI (Players of National Interest) funding from SA Rugby.
Kolbe confirmed the news on Monday, 25 May 2026, through a heartfelt farewell message to his Japanese club, Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.
“Japan has become so much more than just a place where I played rugby; it has become a true home for my family and me. The people, the culture, the friendships, and the memories we’ve made with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath will stay with us forever.
“Over time, I’ve had to weigh up the sacrifices that come with living abroad – especially the time spent away from my loved ones, the moments you can’t get back, and the stage of life our family is in right now. As grateful as we are for this incredible journey, we feel the time is right to return to South Africa after the season and begin the next chapter of our lives.”
“To the Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath management, coaches, staff, teammates, and incredible fans, thank you for embracing us and making these past few years so special. We will always carry a piece of Japan with us.