Cheslin Kolbe knows how long, winding, and full of obstacles the road to becoming a top athlete can be.
He’s experienced it all, from not being seen as ‘big’ enough to play rugby at an international level to people doubting if he can be a world-class winger for the Springboks when he eventually got his chance.
Kolbe proved those doubters wrong as he went on to win two World Cups with the Springboks – playing a crucial role in 2019 and 2023 – and he now wants to give back to his community, which has “always had his back no matter what”.
The double world champion, alongside his wife Layla, this past week launched the Cheslin Kolbe Foundation which they want to use not just to help discover hidden talents in sport within underprivileged communities, but also to address other social issues like education and community upliftment in the areas of Kraaifontein, Belhar, and Elsiesriver where they grew up.
Many people asked Kolbe why the foundation had been established, especially because the Bok star was not yet at the end of his career. But he believes the time to give back is now.
Stepping Into Purpose, the foundation’s slogan is a play on words for the winger’s hot-stepping on the rugby field, and the Kolbes are hopeful they can assist others to “step into their purpose” through the foundation and its work.
“It has been five years in the making, wanting to make a difference wherever we can in our communities,” Kolbe explained the reason behind their decision.
Layla added: “Yes, Cheslin might still be playing, but people need help right now. We couldn’t wait until he was done with his career and just watch people reach out for help. He is inspiring so many kids already, but just imagine how much more we can do than just seeing him play on TV. We have the platform now and we must take advantage of it.”
“To see this come to life is surreal,” the Bok winger continued.
“Never (as a youngster) did I think I would be in this position with my wife that I find myself in today. But this is not about me, it’s not about the name. It is about the people out there that we can help to make a difference in their lives.
“Being back with the Springboks the last couple of months, I haven’t been as hands-on as I would want to be, but I have to give credit to Layla. She’s worked late nights and stressed out, but I am super grateful to have a wife who supports our vision for South Africa.”
Looking back at what he’s achieved on the rugby field – even after there were some doubters – made the realisation of another dream all the more special for him.
His hot-stepping try to put England away in the 2019 World Cup final and the magical conversion charge down against France in the 2023 tournament remain special memories for South Africans.
But he didn’t think when he moved over to France about seven years ago, that all of this would be on his path.
“There was that weird rule in South Africa where if you had less than 30 caps, you would not play for the Springboks if you were based overseas. I always had that desire and hoped that one day there would be an opportunity to come back. Because as a kid, the only jersey you wanted to wear was the Green-and-Gold jersey. I never gave up on that dream.
“In my second year (2018), coach Rassie (Erasmus) and Jacques (Nienaber) took over and I got a call from my club to come and see the coaches. I thought ‘I didn’t do anything wrong’. Then one of the coaches, who’s currently the scrumming coach of France, William Servat, came up to me and said ‘now you can bring me some biltong’. I still asked what was going on.
“Then at the end of the meeting, I stayed behind and the coach told me I was going to link up with the Springboks in Brisbane. I just stood there and said in Afrikaans ‘moenie met my mors nie’. Obviously, they didn't understand I was saying they mustn’t mess with me. I asked them if they were honest and they told me I was leaving (for Australia). The whole time I had this smile on my face.
“The first people I called was my wife and then my dad who I told I got the opportunity to join up with the boys in Brisbane and hopefully there was a chance for me to make my debut.”
Kolbe made his debut that weekend against the Aussies and the rest, as they say, is history.
He’s one of the hopefuls aiming to make it to a third World Cup in 2027, but in between all of that, he wants to grow the foundation alongside Layla and their partners like Investec. Layla is working in Cape Town where their kids go to school, with Kolbe currently playing his rugby in Japan.
They have their good friends, Rachel and Siya Kolisi, to also lean on for advice with the Bok captain and his wife having been successful with the Kolisi Foundation they started in 2020.