Returning to the communities that shaped him, Cheslin Kolbe’s foundation now supports close to 3,000 Western Cape learners each year to develop self-belief, leadership and resilience.
Franschhoek, South Africa (30 January 2026) – Young learners across the Western Cape carry enormous potential, shaped by their experiences, environments and the opportunities made available to them. It’s a reality Cheslin Kolbe understands deeply, which is why the Springbok star is investing in the very thing that helped carry him from Kraaifontein to rugby’s biggest stages, and that’s belief.
Through the Cheslin Kolbe Foundation, the two-time Rugby World Cup winner has partnered with Bridges Retreat, a Franschhoek-based outdoor education organisation that works with learners from under-resourced communities. The aim is to help children see themselves differently, often for the very first time.
Cheslin believes that once a young person starts to recognise their own potential, everything changes.
“I know how powerful it is when someone shows you what you’re capable of. At Bridges, kids discover strengths they didn’t realise they had. As soon as they begin to see themselves differently, their whole outlook starts to shift.”
What makes the collaboration especially meaningful is its deep personal connection. Several of Bridges’ partner schools are in Kraaifontein and nearby communities. This is the same areas Cheslin grew up and learned to navigate limited resources with big dreams.
“You see a child who believes they have nothing to offer suddenly realise they can lead, problem-solve or uplift others. That moment of discovery is powerful. It sends a clear message: where you start does not determine where you can go.”
Educators have seen those changes firsthand. At Petunia Primary, one of the schools supported through the Foundation, teachers watched a quiet learner step into his voice during camp.
Bridges Retreat supports close to 3,000 learners each year across 15 Western Cape schools, helping young people build confidence, teamwork and leadership skills through sustained, experience-based learning that complements the work already happening in classrooms.
For Cheslin, the investment is about standing in the gap for young people who just need someone to show them what’s possible.
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