Toulouse (AFP)

The same colors but not the same jersey: one of the attractions of the Top 14, the South African winger Cheslin Kolbe, could pass from the Rouge et Noir of Toulouse to those of Toulon, for what would constitute one of the biggest transfers of rugby history.

Discussions have been initiated "recently" between the two clubs to assess "the feasibility of such an operation," Toulon President Bernard Lemaître told AFP on Wednesday, confirming information from the British specialist weekly The Rugby Paper and the BeIN Sports channel.

"It doesn't go any further than that at this point," he added.

"It's an opportunity that has presented itself and which can present advantages and disadvantages for each of the two clubs. This is the reason why we are evaluating all this."

Arrived in 2017 on the banks of the Garonne, Kolbe is still contractually bound until 2023 with the Toulouse Stadium, with which he won the Top 14 twice (2019 and 2021), as well as the last European Cup.

RC Toulon will therefore have to pay compensation if they wish to immediately enroll the player, currently selected with the South African team for the Rugby Championship, a flagship competition in the southern hemisphere.

Montpellier had to pay in 2017 to Racing 92 a release clause estimated at 1.5 million euros to recruit another South African, Johan Goosen.

But, unlike football, the practice is still rare in rugby, where players traditionally honor their entire contract before changing clubs.

A transfer from Kolbe to Toulon would therefore have a huge impact in the community as the new Top 14 season, of which he is one of the biggest stars, must start in ten days.

- Sulky -

The pocket winger (1.71 m, 74 kg), also able to evolve at the back, is considered one of the best players in the world thanks to his speed and fire support.

Sacred world champion in 2019 with the Springboks, he had a mixed second part of the 2020-2021 season under the Toulouse jersey, with a series, unusual for him, of 13 games without scoring a single try.

Author of a masterful drop in the victorious final of the championship against La Rochelle (18-8), he still proclaimed his love for the Pink City in May in an interview with AFP: "It's a special place for me . Everyone is so nice (...) The club has always been there for me and my family ".

According to close sources, he was however criticized internally for a sulky behavior for several months because of salary issues.

The Toulouse Stadium, which likes to place the institution above everything, would by separating from it save a very substantial salary for a player often left at the disposal of his selection.

Affected economically by the Covid-19 pandemic, the reigning French and European champion would, on the other hand, weaken sportingly, in a position where he lacks depth after the retirement of Yoann Huget.

Behind Matthis Lebel, second best scorer in the Top 14 last season, the only wingers in the trade are Arthur Bonneval, often injured recently, and the hopeful Nelson Epée, very promising but not yet proven at the highest level.

Contacted, the Haut-Garonnais club replied that they did not want to communicate "to date" about a possible transfer of Kolbe.

The arrival of Springbok in the Var could also pose a problem for the RCT as to the authorized limit per workforce of 14 players not stamped JIFF (players from the training sector).

Chance of the calendar: Toulouse and Toulon must face each other on Friday in Nîmes in a preparation match.

Perhaps the opportunity to continue the discussions in person.

© 2021 AFP