Springbok star Cheslin Kolbe added another accolade to his glittering career after finishing as the leading point-scorer in Japan Rugby League One this season.
Kolbe edged Black Rams Tokyo flyhalf Ichigo Nakakusu by a single point after slotting a 65th-minute penalty during the Tokyo Sungoliath’s 39-22 win over the Black Rams on Sunday.
Kolbe ended the regular season with 185 points from 16 appearances, including nine tries, 40 conversions and 20 penalties.
He becomes the fifth different player to top the scoring charts across the five editions of League One.
The achievement underlines the remarkable versatility of the double World Cup winner, whose goal-kicking has become an increasingly valuable part of his game and provides additional back-up for the Springboks.
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Kolbe now joins an elite list of previous League One top scorers that includes Damian McKenzie, Bryn Gatland, Bernard Foley and Japan international Kyohei Yamasawa.
The 31-year-old has accumulated an impressive 271 points in just 30 matches for the Sungoliath since arriving in Japan and still has an opportunity to extend that tally in the playoffs later this month.
Meanwhile, Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok enjoyed an outstanding campaign in Division Two, topping the point-scoring standings with 165 points for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners.
Elsewhere in Division One, Brodie Retallick finished as the competition’s leading try-scorer with 17 tries for the Kobe Steelers.
Kolbe’s Sungoliath will face the Black Rams Tokyo again in the opening weekend of the playoffs on 23 May.
Photo: Toru Hanai/Getty Images
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