Layla Kolbe, the wife of Springboks full back Cheslin Kolbe, shared a touching post of their kids saying goodbye to their dad via an Instagram post on Monday 25 May.
LAYLA KOLBE ON CHESLIN RETURNING TO SA
Mom of three Layla Kolbe shared a look inside her kids having to say goodbye to their dad in Tokyo airport via an Instagram post. Layla, and her husband, Springboks full back Cheslin Kolbe have three kids together – Kylah (6), Mila Sky (3) and Cayden (1). Cheslin has been based in Tokyo, Japan and playing for Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath for the past three years.
Cheslin revealed that he will be returning home for his next chapter. Layla expressed that their kids felt so free in Tokyo and they hope to return to the country one day. Take a look…
“Some goodbyes never get easier. 😣💛. Watching our kids say goodbye to their dad at Tokyo airport broke us all over again. Japan gave our family some of the happiest, most beautiful memories we could have asked for. I’ve never felt so free anywhere in the world before and seeing our children live so freely and happily here is something we will treasure forever,” she wrote on Instagram.
“But in the end, time together matters more than anything. The everyday moments. School pickups, birthday parties, bedtime cuddles, milestones, the little things that become the big things. These are the years you never get back,” she continued.
“So while leaving Japan is incredibly emotional for us, we know this decision was made from love and truly being obedient to God’s calling. Choosing family, choosing presence, choosing to be together for these precious years of our children’s lives,” she went on to say.
“Here’s to new memories back home and hopefully one day, we’ll return to Japan together as a family again – older, wiser and with even more appreciation for the place that gave us so much,” she added.
CHESLIN KOLBE ANNOUNCES RETURN TO SA
In a shock statement, Cheslin revealed that he would be returning to South Africa for his next chapter. It is unclear which team the rugby star will be joining. He expressed that he is grateful for the culture in Tokyo, friendships and memories. Take a look…
“The next chapter: Heading home. 🇿🇦 This has been one of the most emotional and difficult decisions of my career. Japan has become so much more than just a place where I played rugby – it became a true home for me and my family. The people, the culture, the friendships, and the memories we’ve made with Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath will stay with us forever,” he wrote.
“Over time, I’ve had to weigh up the sacrifices that come with living abroad – especially the time spent away from my loved ones, the moments you can’t get back, and the stage of life our family is in right now. As grateful as we are for this incredible journey, we feel the time is right to return to South Africa after the season and begin the next chapter of our lives,” he continued.