Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe wins Japan Rugby League One award

The Springbok flyer edged BlackRams Tokyo playmaker Ichigo Nakakusu by the slimmest of margins thanks to a second-half penalty during Tokyo Sungoliath’s 39-22 victory last weekend. While the kick appeared routine in the moment, it ultimately proved decisive, lifting Kolbe onto 185 points for the campaign — just one ahead of Nakakusu.

In doing so, Kolbe became the fifth different player to finish atop the league’s scoring charts across League One’s five completed regular seasons. He now joins an elite list featuring Damien McKenzie, Bernard Foley, Bryn Gatland and Kyohei Yamasawa.

Kolbe’s tally came from just 16 appearances and included nine tries, underlining the all-round attacking threat the South African continues to provide in Japan. Since arriving at Sungoliath, the double World Cup winner has amassed 271 points in only 30 matches for the Tokyo outfit.

There is still time for that number to grow, too, with Sungoliath preparing to face BlackRams Tokyo once again in the opening round of the playoffs later this month.

While Kolbe topped the charts this season, Kubota Spears veteran Bernard Foley remains League One’s all-time leading scorer. The Wallabies fly-half has accumulated a staggering 766 career points from 70 appearances and will have another chance to extend his record during Kubota’s playoff campaign. Former Brave Blossoms pivot Rikiya Matsuda sits second on the all-time standings with 726 points.

Elsewhere, Brodie Retallick completed a sensational regular season by finishing as Division One’s leading try-scorer. The All Black lock crossed 17 times in 18 appearances for Kobelco Kobe Steelers, an extraordinary return for a second-row forward. Retallick finished ahead of Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars utility back Matt Vaega, while teammate Inoke Burua ended third with 13 tries.

Retallick’s try-scoring exploits have also propelled him into the League One record books, with the New Zealander now boasting 31 tries in 52 appearances in Japan. Only Malcolm Marx has scored more tries among foreign internationals, with the Springbok hooker sitting on 33 from 56 matches.

Shizuoka BlueRevs winger Malo Tuitama also reached a major milestone this season, becoming the first player in League One history to surpass 50 career tries. The prolific finisher now sits on 52 tries from 68 appearances, narrowly ahead of Sungoliath speedster Seiya Ozaki, who has 51.

In Division Two, the battle for scoring honours was dominated by international fly-halves. Springbok Manie Libbok topped the points standings with 165 points for Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, just ahead of Wallaby Noah Lolesio, who scored 153 points in only 10 appearances for Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi.

Meanwhile, former Super Rugby centre Chance Peni shared the Division Two try-scoring crown with Kintetsu winger Tomoya Kimura after both players crossed 13 times during the regular season.