Despite 'serene' Kolbe's Top 14 debut Toulon fall to Stade Francais

Toulon captain Baptiste Serin said South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe brings 'serenity to the team' even though he was unable to inspire them to victory on his Top 14 bow for the club on Sunday as Stade Francais won 26-24.

Kolbe's league debut in his new colours was delayed by injury and Covid-19 postponements.

The 28-year-old moved for a reported €1.8 million ($2.12 million, R31 million) from Toulouse in August.

The loss in Paris kept Toulon in 13th place, the relegation play-off spot, but they have three games in hand over Perpignan in 12th. Victory lifted the home side to 10th.

Kolbe, 28, started behind a pack which included former Parisian Sergio Parisse as the 38-year-old seeks to prove his fitness over the next three weeks before a potential Test return with Italy in the upcoming Six Nations.

Kolbe had played for Toulon in the European Challenge Cup win over Zebre Parma on 17 December.

"He's a guy who plays right, he brings a lot of serenity to the team. Cheslin's only played two matches, we have to be patient with Cheslin," Serin told reporters.

"We know his ability with one-on-ones, he won all of them tonight. I found him serious," he added.

By the time the Rugby World Cup winner got his first touch in the league his team already trailed after home flyhalf Joris Segonds kicked a second-minute penalty.

The visitors responded with two tries. After 11 minutes Kolbe's fellow back-three player and Tokyo 2020 gold medallist scored his first try for Toulon.

Segonds peppered Kolbe with kicks. The fullback responded by setting up Toulon's second try just after the quarter. His goose-step took him outside his defender before he fed Aymeric Luc who found Baptiste Serin with an inside pass for the scrum-half to cross. Louis Carbonel