in action in Japan and his rip on fellow Springbok Malcolm Marx.

Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe has continued to add to his own highlights reel in Japan with Test team-mate Malcolm Marx his latest victim.

The 31-year-old has hit some fine form over recent weeks, scoring a 60-metre solo try before touching down following a fine piece of skill in victories over Shizuoka Blue Revs and Mie Honda Heat respectively.

While it was a vast attacking repertoire that came to the fore on those occasions, Kolbe displayed his defensive capabilities against South African powerhouse Marx on Sunday.

Kolbe’s defensive effort

The wing knows all about the strength of the hooker having played alongside him at international level for a number of years, but he showed no fear going into contact against him.

Featuring for Tokyo Sungoliath, his side came up against Kubota Spears in Japan Rugby League One where the Boks stars went head-to-head.

Although Marx’s team took the honours, it was Kolbe who won the individual duel when they collided in the second period.

Kubota were 23-0 ahead and looking for another try when the ball went loose.

Marx picked it up and got ahead of steam, which would have struck fear into most opponents, but the speedster was not phased.

Kolbe went full pelt towards his fellow Springbok, flew into the hooker by targeting the ball and, as they were heading to ground, in the same motion he somehow managed to rip it away.

Kolbe’s work undone

Unfortunately for the wing, his team-mates messed up the reprieve that the South African had given them by knocking on in the next phase and handing Kubota a five-metre scrum.

Tokyo would go on to lose the match 30-10 to leave them down in sixth position in the standings with just six victories in 15 matches.

They are 10 points behind Kobelco Kobe Steelers, who are in fifth, but it is Saitama Wild Knights and Kubota that are leading the way in first and second with 60 and 57 points respectively.

Toshiba Brave Lupus are just behind those two with 56, with them a long way ahead of Kolbe’s Tokyo.