{
  "id": 6859947,
  "title": "Stormers without Springbok star Cheslin Kolbe for opening URC home games",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/stormers-without-springbok-star-cheslin-kolbe-for-opening-urc-home",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/urc/2026-09-12-stormers-without-springbok-star-cheslin-kolbe-for-opening-urc-home-games/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cheslin Kolbe, the Stormers' star winger, will miss the opening two months of the United Rugby Championship (URC) season due to a broken jaw sustained against the All Blacks in Soweto last weekend. The injury was confirmed by Stormers director of rugby John Dobson on Friday following the team's pre-season clash against the Bulls. Kolbe's absence will be a significant blow to the Cape side as they kick off their URC campaign against Connacht. The Springbok winger was set to play in a couple of home matches in October, starting with the Sharks before joining the Boks for the Nations Championship tour to Europe in November. With Kolbe sidelined, the Stormers will rely on younger players such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, Siya Kolisi, Paul de Villiers, and Deon Fourie, who may benefit from a longer break due to limited preparation time. However, there is a silver lining as young outside backs Dylan Miller and Lleyton Davids, affectionately known as the Robertson Express, impressed in the team's first match against the Bulls. Miller scored two tries, described by Dobson as fearless, while Davids, still an Under-20, showcased his pace and skill with a standout try.",
  "summary": "Cheslin Kolbe’s much-anticipated Stormers homecoming has suffered a major setback, with John Dobson confirming the Springbok winger will be sidelined for around eight weeks with a broken jaw.",
  "key_points": [
    "Cheslin Kolbe breaks jaw in All Blacks game, out for 8 weeks",
    "Stormers rely on younger players for URC opener against Connacht",
    "Dylan Miller and Lleyton Davids impress in first match"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}