Are Cheslin Kolbe and Wayde Van Niekerk Related? Who Are Cheslin Kolbe and Wayde Van Niekerk?
by Mathelene | Updated Oct 20, 2023
Are Cheslin Kolbe and Wayde Van Niekerk Related?
Yes, Cheslin Kolbe and Wayde van Niekerk are indeed related. They are cousins who come from a family with a strong sporting tradition. Both Cheslin and Wayde have achieved great success in their respective sports. Cheslin Kolbe is known as a Springbok player, which means he plays rugby for the South African national team. In their younger years, Cheslin and Wayde used to play rugby together.
Their shared success doesn't stop there. In the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, both cousins won medals, which is a remarkable achievement. This shows that athletic talent runs in their family, and they have made their family proud with their achievements in sports. So, yes, Cheslin Kolbe and Wayde van Niekerk are related as cousins and both have excelled in the world of sports.
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Who is Cheslin Kolbe?
Cheslin Kolbe, born on October 28, 1993, is a professional rugby player from South Africa. He currently plays for the Suntory Sungoliath team in Japan's Rugby League One and represents the South African national rugby team. His main position on the field is as a wing, but he can also play as a fullback. Sometimes, he even takes on the role of a fly half for Toulouse in the top 14 league and serves as a scrum half for the South African national team.
Cheslin Kolbe has achieved significant success in his career. He was part of the South Africa Sevens team that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He was also a crucial member of the South African team that won the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where he scored the team's second try in the final. In 2019, he was nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year award, although he didn't win it.
Known for his remarkable speed, agility, and scoring ability, despite his relatively small stature, Kolbe has played for various teams, including Toulouse in the Top14, the Stormers in Super Rugby, and Western Province in the Currie Cup. He has earned numerous championships and awards throughout his career and is considered one of the best rugby players globally.
Full Name
Cheslin Kolbe
Date of Birth
October 28, 1993
Place of Birth
South Africa
Nationality
South African
Sport
Rugby
Position
Wing and Fullback
Current Team
Suntory Sungoliath (Japan Rugby League One)
National Team
South Africa (Springboks)
Cheslin Kolbe Age
As of 2023, Cheslin Kolbe is 29 years old. He was born on October 28, 1993. Kolbe started his rugby journey at Hoërskool Brackenfell. He began representing Western Province in rugby from a young age, participating in different age groups. In 2009, he played in the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week, and he continued to showcase his skills and dedication. His rugby journey with Western Province led him to compete in the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship, marking his progress and growth in the sport.
This path from high school to youth and provincial levels highlights his commitment to rugby and his talent, which eventually took him to the highest levels of the game, including representing the South African national team and becoming one of the world's top rugby players. It's a testament to his hard work and skill development that began in his school years and progressed through youth competitions to reach the professional stage.
Cheslin Kolbe Career
Cheslin Kolbe's journey in club and international rugby has been quite impressive. He started his professional career with Western Province, where he played his first major match in the Vodacom Cup against Boland Cavaliers. A month later, he was named as a substitute for the Stormers in a Super Rugby game against the Sharks. In October 2013, Kolbe was part of the Western Province team that won the Currie Cup.
He later moved to France to play for Toulouse in the Top 14 league in 2017. During his time with Toulouse, he won the French Championship in 2019 and achieved further success by winning the European Cup and the Top 14 in 2021. On the international stage, Kolbe made his debut for the South African national team in 2018 and played a crucial role in their 2019 Rugby Championship victory and their triumph in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
He continued to excel, helping South Africa secure a series win against the British & Irish Lions in 2021. Kolbe also had experience with the South Africa Under-20 team and represented the South Africa Sevens team from 2012 to 2017, even participating in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Who is Wayde Van Niekerk?
Wayde van Niekerk is a track and field sprinter from South Africa. He competes in races covering 200 and 400 meters. In the 400 meters, he holds both the world and Olympic records, which he set during the Olympic finals. He also boasts the best time in the world for the 300 meters.
Van Niekerk won a silver medal in the 400 meters at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and another silver in the 4x400 meters relay at the 2013 Summer Universiade. He represented South Africa at the 2013 and 2015 Athletics World Championships. At the 2015 World Championships, he secured a gold medal in the 400 meters.
Two years later in London, he defended his title in the 400 meters and also won a silver medal in the 200 meters. In the 2016 Olympic Games, Van Niekerk made history by winning the gold medal in the men's 400 meters with a world record time of 43.03 seconds, surpassing a record set by Michael Johnson in 1999.
In 2016, he became the first sprinter to achieve times under 10 seconds in the 100 meters, under 20 seconds in the 200 meters, and under 44 seconds in the 400 meters. He continued to break records by running the 300 meters in under 31 seconds in 2017, making him the only sprinter to accomplish such remarkable feats in these four events.
Full Name
Wayde van Niekerk
Date of Birth
July 15, 1992
Place of Birth
Kraaifontein, South Africa
Nationality
South African
Sport
Track and Field Sprinter
Specialties
200 meters and 400 meters
Current Status
Active Athlete
Wayde Van Niekerk Age
As of 2023, Wayde Van Niekerk is 31 years old. Wayde van Niekerk was born on July 15, 1992 in the town of Kraaifontein, near Cape Town, South Africa. His parents are Wayne van Niekerk and Odessa Swarts (formerly Krause). Wayde had a challenging start in life as he was born prematurely and required a blood transfusion to survive.
During his early years, Wayde attended Bellville Primary and Simonberg Primary schools. In 2005, he and his mother relocated to Bloemfontein. There, he continued his education at Grey College before pursuing studies in marketing at the University of the Free State.
This journey from his birthplace in Kraaifontein to his schooling in Bloemfontein and later studies at the University of the Free State played a significant role in shaping his life and ultimately led to his remarkable achievements in the world of sprinting. Wayde van Niekerk's determination and talent have made him a renowned figure in the world of athletics.
Wayde Van Niekerk Career
Wayde van Niekerk's journey began in 2010 at the World Junior Championships, where he ran the 200m, finishing fourth with a personal best time. His real breakthrough came in 2011 at the South African Athletics Championships when he won the 200m title. In 2013, he shifted his focus to the 400m and performed exceptionally well, earning his place in the 2013 World Championships.
By 2014, he was setting world records, and in 2015, he achieved a milestone by running the 400m in under 44 seconds. At the 2015 World Championships, he won gold and became one of the fastest runners ever. In 2016, he made history by breaking the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters, making him the first to do so in the 100m, 200m, and 400m.
At the 2016 Olympics, he won gold in the 400m, setting a new world record. He faced some racial debate after his win. In 2017, he defended his 400m world title and also won silver in the 200m. Unfortunately, he suffered an ACL injury in 2017, affecting his performance in 2018. He made a comeback in 2019 and joined a training group in the United States. Van Niekerk is coached by Ans Botha, known as Tannie Ans.
Are Cheslin Kolbe and Wayde Van Niekerk Related? - FAQs
Yes, Cheslin Kolbe and Wayde van Niekerk are related; they are cousins.
Cheslin Kolbe is known for his rugby career, representing both the South Africa national rugby team and the club Suntory Sungoliath in Japan. Wayde van Niekerk is a track and field sprinter specializing in the 200 and 400 meters.
Yes, both have won medals at the 2016 Olympic Games. Cheslin Kolbe was part of the South African Sevens team that won a bronze medal. Wayde van Niekerk achieved a gold medal in the 400 meters, setting a world record in the process.
Wayde van Niekerk's early international debut was at the 2010 World Junior Championships. He initially competed in the 200 meters and later transitioned to the 400 meters, where he achieved significant success, setting world records and winning Olympic gold.
Wayde van Niekerk was coached by Ans Botha, known as Tannie Ans. His manager is Peet van Zyl. In 2021, he moved to the United States to train with the Pure Athletics training group in Florida, coached by Lance Brauman.