Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe left the “comfort” of Toulouse to shake things up and pursue a new adventure at Top 14 rivals Toulon.

Kolbe said on Friday that he joined Toulon from European champions Toulouse to “take myself out of my comfort zone”.

“The decision that I made, it was not an easy one,” said Kolbe.

“I spent unbelievable years in Toulouse. But I think I achieved what I wanted to achieve at the club. I had given everything that I could. For me, I just need a new challenge. I need a new way to write a new story.

“The offer to come to Toulon was great for me. It is an opportunity to me to go out and just challenge myself, take myself out of my comfort zone which, for us as rugby players, you become too comfortable if you stay too long in one club.

“For me, it is a way to get out of my comfort zone and make sure that I can perform every time.”

The 27-year-old has arrived in Toulon with his wife and two daughters and was set to be unveiled to fans before the home game against Racing 92 on Saturday evening.

Kolbe joined Toulouse in 2017 and won the French Top 14 twice, in 2019 and last season, and the European Cup last season with the club.

He was yet to appear for his new side after suffering a training-ground injury just before the Springboks left South Africa for the final three matches of the Rugby Championship in Australia in September and October.

Kolbe scored 31 tries in 82 Toulouse appearances, but with two years left on his contract opted to move to Toulon in August.

© Agence France-Presse

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