Double Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe has been appointed as a Nissan Africa ambassador, becoming the third and final athlete selected for the company's ambassador programme in 2026.
He received the keys to his Nissan Navara PRO
4X during an intimate ceremony at Nissan Milnerton, where Dealer Principal Chris Drummond and his team hosted Nissan executives, the media and a couple of fans.
Cheslin joins Nissan as brand ambassador shortly after fellow Springbok players Aphelele Fassi and Jordan Hendrikse were appointed during a special ceremony at Bidvest McCarthy Nissan Umhlanga.
Juan Wheeler, CFO of Nissan Africa, handed Cheslin the keys as the latest brand ambassador for Nissan South Africa (photo).
The 31-year-old returns to South Africa after spending several seasons abroad. He played club rugby in France before moving to Japan, where he finished the most recent season as the leading points scorer in Japan Rugby League One.
Cheslin’s partnership with Nissan was facilitated by Roc Nation Sports International, which manages a number of high profile athletes around the world.
Speaking at the handover, Cheslin said that the Nissan Navara is a vehicle built on resilience, toughness and a passion for pushing boundaries, values that really resonate with him both on and off the rugby field. “It’s a proud moment to represent an iconic brand that is manufactured right here in Africa, and I’m looking forward to the adventures ahead with my family in the Navara PRO 4X.”
The vehicle handed over to Cheslin is Nissan’s flagship Navara PRO-4X double cab. It is powered by a 2.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine producing 140 kW and 450 Nm, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The model offers 221 mm of ground clearance and a braked towing capacity of 3 500 kg.
The appointment forms part of Nissan Africa's wider athlete ambassador programme, which links the Navara range with prominent South African sports figures. According to the company, the programme aims to highlight athletes who have achieved success in their respective fields while maintaining strong local connections.
The Navara is built in South Africa and is sold through Nissan’s national dealer network. Every new Navara is supplied with a six-year/150 000 km warranty and a six-year/90 000 km service plan.
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