Cheslin Kolbe is facing backlash from fans following his Player of the Match performance against the All Blacks on Saturday, after footage appears to show the elusive winger striking his opponent with his left fist.
After being forced off the field, the Springboks star took exception to being moved on the floor by All Blacks wing Leroy Carter, resulting in an altercation between the two players.
The 32-year-old got to his feet and threw what appeared to be a left hook into Carter’s jaw, sparking a shoving match between the two players before their teammates interrupted it.
Kolbe then walked away, clearly frustrated, but supporters have not yet deemed the matter settled.
One fan said: “There should be no punches thrown in our game. 2-game suspension seems fair for Kolbe“.
Another added: “I was shocked he got away with that, fairly soft but he couldn’t have made it more obvious for the officials to see”.
Others have argued that the retaliation was justified, with one person commenting, “You call that a punch? He was pulled by the jersey. Do you just expect him to lie down and take it?”
One fan even went as far as to say it was “deserved”, noting: “No, he gets yanked backwards while on the ground and responds appropriately. Fella picking on the smallest lad on the pitch gets a well deserved smack. Move on.”
Kolbe with the little knacker punch in front of two officials and gets asked if he’s alright after. Fair play. pic.twitter.com/d5LN6G0XWJ
— Jim Demps (@jim_demps) August 29, 2026
Kolbe’s reaction was arguably disproportionate to the initial action by Carter, but no citation has been issued as of yet.
Springboks get their revenge
Besides that controversial incident, it was a good day for the Springboks, who earned victory over their old rivals, winning 33-26 in Cape Town, to level the series at 1-1 with two matches remaining.
The second-round match contrasted sharply with the opener, in which the All Blacks walked away as comfortable victors. This time around, the Springboks took an early lead and, despite the All Blacks mounting a late comeback, looked in control of proceedings all the way through.
Kolbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth all delivered standout performances, proving once again that the best players step up for the big games.
Elsewhere, the Wallabies delivered an impressive performance to beat Argentina, winning 21-27 in a game which saw the rugby league returnee Carter Gordon touchdown, while scrum-half Ryan Lonergan kept the scoreboard ticking from the boot. All scores were completed by the 54th minute, with the final quarter remaining scoreless.