Atlas South Africa was founded in 2018 after a successful Atlas Trek to Botswana and Zimbabwe attended by South African Rugby Champions. Since then two successful rides in the Cape Town Cycling Tour have supported Atlas's work in the townships and poorest rural communities, bringing new hope to children through the power of rugby.

Read the latest Atlas Africa newsletter, to keep up to date with our work here. 

Rugby Champions

John Smit, former Springbok Rugby Captain who played for the Springboks in 111 tests, beat the British & Irish Lions in 2009 and won the Rugby World Cup in 2007, is the lead champion of Atlas SA along with other former Springbok internationals including Percy Montgomery, Bob Skinstad, Stefan Terblanche, Joel Stransky, Matt Stevens, Joe Pietersen, Jake Boer, De Wet Barry and Nick Mallett. Look out for these iconic sportsmen representing Atlas across Southern Africa with their commitment to uplifting and empowering young boys and girls through the team culture and spirit of rugby.

The Atlas office is led by Sue Anderson, who is instrumental in placing the spotlight firmly on the Foundation and spearheading fundraising initiatives with the SA rugby-loving corporate and business community. Sue is well versed to direct the collaborative power that stems from the exceptional rugby ‘brotherhood’ of giving back, mentorship and friendship.

For more information on Atlas South Africa email: [email protected]

 

Projects

DigiBus - Atlas DigiBus, an advanced mobile Digital Classroom for 960 children per DigiBus per week in the Informal Settlements of South Africa, where many children lack any IT education, let alone at this level. 

Atlas All Schools Cape Town - This project is delivered by coaches Frank and Xolani based at Masi RFC to Ocean View and Masiphumelele High Schools. The All Schools programme is supported by a feeding programme delivered after rugby training at Masi RFC, kindly sponsored by the Silver Hippos Foundation.

Atlas All Schools Overberg - This project reaches 3 schools in the Overberg area, and is delivered by the South Africa Rugby Legends Association.

Atlas All Schools Atlantis - This project reaches 4 schools in Boland, north of Cape Town, and is delivered by the South Africa Rugby Legends Association.

Atlas All Schools Johannesburg - This project reaches 8 schools in two separate townships, and is delivered by the South Africa Rugby Legends Association.

Project Zulu Newcastle - This project is delivering a new playing pitch at a township school in Newcastle. Delivered by Project Zulu, this project meant a great deal to our late friend Chris Neal, and is supported by additional fundraising from the Chris Neal Memorial Fund.

 

Events

The inaugural Atlas South Africa event in 2019 saw a 15-strong contingent cycling in the famous Cape Town Cycling Tour. Team Captain John Smit hurled himself off his bicycle in advance on the race so wasn't able to start. Springbok Legend Percy Montgomery stepped up to lead in his place. Minister Alan Winde was a fantastic addition to the team, already a great political leader, he showed his sporting colours with a brilliant performance on the bike.

Again in 2020, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, Springbok legends and Atlas Rugby Champions Percy Montgomery and De Wet Barry, led a Thirsti sponsored Atlas team over the challenging Cape Town Cycle Tour course on March 8th 2020. Each is a strong advocate for Atlas’s rugby based appraisals to child development, and have seen and experienced the uplift that Atlas projects provide to boys and girls at home and overseas.