Kolbe's Cape Town return 'just impossible', says Stormers coach Dobson

Stormers head coach John Dobson has said that, with a price tag worth "the GDP of Lesotho", it is unlikely that Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe would be returning to Cape Town franchise.

French club Toulon announced on Monday that Kolbe would be leaving at the end of the season after a mutual agreement to part ways.

Kolbe, who made his name playing Super Rugby for the Stormers before taking his talents to France, had arrived at Toulon from Toulouse in 2021. Kolbe also won the Currie Cup with Western Province in 2014.

Toulon's statement also said that he is expected to announce his next move soon.

READ: French club confirms Cheslin Kolbe on the move, but where will Bok winger end up?

While a return to South African shores, more specifically the Atlantic seaboard, is a tempting thought, particularly after the serious injury to Seabelo Senatla who was involved in a car accident, Dobson said the Western Province Rugby Union, which is under administration, was not in a position to sign on Kolbe.

"I'll tell you ... they released his offer to us last week and they came back with a number that was probably the GDP of Lesotho," Dobson told Cape Talk on Monday.

"We are in administration and that number is just impossible, but we definitely need to strengthen our outside backs. [After Seabelo] Senatla's serious injury, we are paper thin in that area, those two centres are overplayed. As of today, we are scrambling for two backs."

Dobson also said that the Cape Town franchise were at pains to keep their top players at the club, with keen interest from other South African rugby franchises following a successful United Rugby Championship season.

"The Bulls and Sharks are responding dramatically to us being double Shield winners, so we have the