The 26-year-old, a member of both South Africa's bronze medal-winning rugby sevens team at Rio 2016 and the Rugby World Cup-winning side in Japan last year, said in November he was eyeing Olympic success but had yet to speak to SA Rugby about participating.

Kolbe's more recent comments came after the Rapport newspaper reported that the winger, who plays for Toulouse in the Top 14 in France, may not be included in South Africa's Olympic squad. 

It was stated in the report that Toulouse were not open to releasing Kolbe for the World Rugby Sevens Series event in Los Angeles, due to take place on the weekend of February 29 and March 1.

The coach of South Africa's national rugby sevens team, Neil Powell, said this would make it hard for him to include Kolbe as he has previously told 15-a-side players who want to be eligible for Olympic selection that they would have to play some part in this season's World Rugby Sevens Series.

"I am in talks with them but there has to be decisions made whether I can go or if I have to stay," Kolbe was reported as saying by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"We still have to wait on that decision."

He added: "Playing in the Olympics, representing your country at one of the biggest stages of the world is a big opportunity. 

"If I can go it will be a blessing. 

"I also don't want to get ahead of myself."

Speaking about the matter, Powell said: "Unfortunately, we're not going to get Cheslin Kolbe (for World Rugby Sevens Series event in Los Angeles), so it makes it difficult to get him for the Olympic team."

Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut at Rio 2016.

South Africa beat Japan 54-14 in the bronze-medal match.

It came after they had lost 7-5 to eventual runners-up Great Britain in the semi-finals.