2025 Conservation Cup Excels
Bafana Bafana legend Bartlett captains a new team to glory in Conservation Cup
Sports stars and business leaders gather to raise funds for conservation
Former Bafana Bafana captain Shaun Bartlett brought his leadership skills to a new challenge as he led a star-studded golf team to victory in the recent Conservation Cup at Pearl Valley.
Bartlett was captain of the Pangolins team as they took on Oscar Chalupsky’s Rhinos in the second edition of this tournament, which was played in a mini Ryder Cup format over 27 holes as a fundraiser for the conservation work of The Fisher Foundation.
Bartlett led a team of business leaders and fellow sports stars including André Joubert, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Mark Fish, Schalk Brits, Gary Teichmann and Marc Watson to a 46.5 – 41.5 victory over Chalupsky’s equally stellar Rhinos team, enabling the Pangolins to retain the title they won last year.
“Being captain of any team is always a lot of pressure, but we were confident of our chances. It’s nice to retain the title because it’s a big responsibility. But The Fisher Foundation benefits a lot more than us playing golf here. We were privileged to be part of it, but at the end of the day we are more privileged to have played a role in preserving our fauna and flora for our children,” said Bartlett.
The Conservation Cup supports The Fisher Foundation’s ongoing work of conservation and education among the youth living in communities adjacent to South Africa’s national parks and protected wildlife areas, as well as the relocation of vulnerable species.
“We managed to raise a significant amount at the auction, but what was encouraging was the increase in support from existing and new sponsors. Their support clearly suggests they see value in what the foundation is doing in its work. The deliverables are authentic and clearly demonstrated. This support will enable us to roll out further initiatives in the coming year which ultimately creates more traction to showcase what the foundation is doing and develop trust among benefactors who believe in our vision,” said Grant Leversha, a Director of The Fisher Foundation and the inspiration behind the Conservation Cup.
“Our vision is to grow The Fisher Foundation to a point where in decades to come, our fence line communities and protected wildlife areas will be in a better place when it’s our time to pass this responsibility on to the next generation. The communities and wildlife we serve are a world away from the comfortable lives we mostly are seemingly blessed to live, and it’s a moral imperative for those who have the wherewithal to get involved. The future of our planet hangs in the balance.”
2024 Success
Kallis and team celebrate
Conservation Cup success
- Jacques Kallis and Hanyani Shimange captains of conservation
- Sport and business unite to raise funds for SA wildlife
Cricket legend Jacques Kallis has led South Africa to victory on many occasions, but this week he achieved a first when he led a stellar team of sports stars and business leaders to victory in the inaugural Conservation Cup golf tournament as part of the drive to protect this country’s wildlife heritage.
In case you missed the TV Broadcast: HERE IT IS
The Conservation Cup at Pearl Valley brought together the family of sport and business in a one-day tournament played over 27 holes and in a Ryder Cup-style format. Kallis and former Springbok Hanyani Shimange each captained a team of sports stars featuring Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher, Schalk Burger Jnr, Schalk Brits, Juandré Kruger, Gary Teichmann, André Joubert, Robbie Fleck, Gcobani Bobo, Odwa and Akona Ndungane, Mark Fish and Neil Tovey. Each team also included several business giants.
Read More
The golf together with a glittering gala dinner and auction helped to raise a significant amount of funding for the Fisher Foundation’s ongoing work as a non-profit to focus on conservation and education among the youth living in communities adjacent to South Africa’s national parks and protected wildlife areas. The ultimate goal of the foundation is to empower the youth to become active custodians of South Africa’s precious natural heritage.
And it was Kallis’ team of the Pangolins which beat Shimange’s Rhinos to became the inaugural Conservation Cup champions.
“I jumped at the chance to captain a team because I think this is a great cause. None of us want any animals to disappear and for our children to be denied seeing them. As sportsmen we can make a difference because we are in the public eye, and it’s amazing to see how many people came out to support this event,” said Kallis.
It was a sentiment echoed by his opposing team captain, Shimange.
“It’s great to see all the sportsmen here, and this was the first time I’ve ever captained a golf team. I love taking my family to the bush and when I first was told about this I definitely wanted to be part of it. It’s important work being done to raise funds for the kids who live in rural communities around our nature reserves so they can learn the skills to work in the conservation environment. That’s how you break cycles and create futures for people.”
It was a sentiment echoed by the many sports stars who took part.
“I’ve always said that the more people who pull together for conservation, the better for all of us. We’re a big sporting nation so it’s great to see so many sportsmen coming out to support this. We raised some good money for the Fisher Foundation. There is a lot going on in our country, but we mustn’t forget conservation as well. It’s great to see foundations coming together like this and pulling in the right direction,” added Mark Boucher, who has long worked with his own foundation to protect South African wildlife.
“It was an unbelievable opportunity to meet some old friends in sport again, and all for a really good cause as we educate our people about the pangolin and rhino conservation,” said former Bafana Bafana captain Neil Tovey.
Mark Fish has experience working with The Fisher Foundation in rural KwaZulu-Natal. “It was great to be involved with the first Conservation Cup and see some of the sporting heroes who were my legends and people I looked up to. This is a worthy cause for many things The Fisher Foundation can do for many years to come.”
“Conservation is something that’s close to many of our hearts. A few of us in the cricket space have spent a lot of time investing back into conservation, so to be here supporting The Fisher Foundation is great,” said former Proteas captain Graeme Smith.
“It’s incredible to see the people who turned up for this event. It’s always nice when you can give back. All of us are super aware of conservation and to raise that awareness is important. It’s just a great cause,” said Springbok star Schalk Burger Jnr.
And fellow rugby star Gcobani Bobo was equally passionate about the effort to protect South Africa’s wildlife. “I just want to cherish what we have in our country and help protect it. I’ve got a young family and I’d want them to be part of a heritage we can all protect,” he said.
Richard Fisher, the founder and Executive Chairman of City Logistics, was overwhelmed by the support they received.
“It is so humbling to have these legends in South African sport join our friends in the business world to help us make a true impact with our conservation efforts. The Fisher Foundation is all about community and reaching out to communities in rural areas and empowering them for a brighter future. Similarly, we are a community in sport and in business, and when we’re able to bring all of this together, that’s when we make a difference. I’d like to thank everybody for being part of the inaugural Conservation Cup, and for the passion shown towards protecting our natural heritage.”
The Conservation Cup was proudly supported by Investec, Heineken Silver, Amarula Gin, Bain’s Whisky, City Venture Capital, Ineos Grenadier, City Logistics, Flooid, Peter Millar, Olijvenkraal, Fyre, Forsyth & Nash, Skukuza Golf Club, AB Phalaborwa, Mala Mala, Europcar, Fastway, G/Fore, Callaway, Pearl Valley and Yoco.
For more information please contact Grant Leversha at grant@richardfisherfoundation.org or +27 82 990 0908, or visit www.conservationcup.org
Secure Your spot for 2026!
grant@richardfisherfoundation.org
The 2026 Event
FORMAT: 27 Holes - Mini Ryder Cup
Two teams of 44 players each, including a captain, will play for the inaugural Conservation Cup at Pearl Valley which will consist of three 9-hole sessions in one day.
ENTRIES & SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES:
VENUE:
Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature G.C.
DATE: TBA September 2026
EVENING FUNCTION & FUNDRAISER:
TEAM CAPTAINS:
TEAM PANGOLIN: TBA
TEAM RHINO: TBA
TOURNAMENT EXECUTIVES:
Jeff Clause (PGA SA Master Professional)
Dave Usendorff (PGA SA Master Professional)
BROADCAST:
Post-event package – SuperSport
EVENT MANAGEMENT: Flooid
Your Involvement
The funds raised from the Conservation Cup event will go a long way towards providing ongoing support for our effective programmes and projects.
Book your four-ball or individual spot and branding activation opportunity: grant@richardfisherfoundation.org.
Call Grant direct on +27829900908.
Donate
If you or your organization are unable to attend due to commitments and would like to donate to the Fisher Foundation, your contribution would be sincerely appreciated.
