Kolbe was a member of the South Africa Sevens team that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Kolbe was nominated for 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year but lost to teammate Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Kolbe is famous for his outstanding defensive capabilities-despite his diminutive frame-and stunning stepping and speed, as well as power in contact.

Kolbe made his test debut in 2018 and played an important part in Springboks winning the 2019 Rugby Championship.

On 2 November, Kolbe was part of the 2019 World-Cup winning team in Japan, scoring a try late in the second half of the Final against England.

Kolbe scored the Springboks' only try in the third and deciding test of the tour to propel South Africa to a series win.

[16][17] Kolbe is a cousin of famous South African track and field sprinter Wayde van Niekerk,[17] who won the gold medal in the 400 metres at the 2016 Olympics and is the current 300m and 400m world record holder.