Corné Krige is a former Springbok captain, acclaimed international keynote speaker, and serial entrepreneur. Best known for leading South Africa through some of rugby’s toughest battles, he now shares practical, hard-earned lessons on resilience, leadership, and high performance.
His signature talk, Debunking Motivation, blends powerful sports stories with business insight: challenging audiences to lead with integrity and thrive under pressure.
Beyond the stage, Corné runs multiple businesses, including CK Advertising and a corporate gifting company with his wife, Justine. Whether in sport, business, or life, Corné leads with calm, grit, and purpose.
How do you lead and inspire when the pressure is on? In this gripping 40-minute keynote, former Springbok captain Corné Krige shares what 12 years of elite rugby — and life-or-death moments — taught him about true motivation.
From a death threat before a match to singing the anthem in front of 60,000 fans, Corné unpacks the mindset needed to lead with courage, stay grounded, and bring out the best in others.
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Corné Krige spoke at an event organised by the Gordon’s Bay Business Forum. Attendees included business owners, employees, partners and sports enthusiasts. Corné was approachable and accommodating with the arrangements in the run-up to the talk. His message is one for every person wanting to be a better version of themselves in whatever situation they are, whatever role they play, at whatever stage of life they are. It is delivered simply, clearly and with humility. Corné engaged with attendees before, during and after the talk. He answered questions with thoughtfulness, vulnerability, and humour. So many of the attendees thanked the Business Forum for arranging the event. Corné made us look good! I felt privileged to have met and chatted with Corné and came away from the meeting feeling like I had a new friend! Would I recommend Corné as a speaker? Without hesitation YES!Gordon Burnham-King, Chairman Gordon's Bay Business Forum
Corné Krige spoke at an event organised by the Gordon’s Bay Business Forum. Attendees included business owners, employees, partners and sports enthusiasts. Corné was approachable and accommodating with the arrangements in the run-up to the talk. His message is one for every person wanting to be a better version of themselves in whatever situation they are, whatever role they play, at whatever stage of life they are. It is delivered simply, clearly and with humility. Corné engaged with attendees before, during and after the talk. He answered questions with thoughtfulness, vulnerability, and humour. So many of the attendees thanked the Business Forum for arranging the event. Corné made us look good! I felt privileged to have met and chatted with Corné and came away from the meeting feeling like I had a new friend! Would I recommend Corné as a speaker? Without hesitation YES!
I want to sincerely thank you for the contribution you made as guest speaker at my annual “kick-off” conference. It is not easy to motivate and mobilize salespeople in this economic climate and I believe your message hit home! Your humble, caring approach was an eye opener. Thank you for the professional way you handled me and my team. I now understand that being the Springbok captain is not only about leading a team of rugby players but rather the rare quality of being an example for people around you – it was a pleasure meeting you!Pieter van Greuning, Business ExecutiveDiscovery Financial Consultants Helderberg
I want to sincerely thank you for the contribution you made as guest speaker at my annual “kick-off” conference. It is not easy to motivate and mobilize salespeople in this economic climate and I believe your message hit home! Your humble, caring approach was an eye opener. Thank you for the professional way you handled me and my team. I now understand that being the Springbok captain is not only about leading a team of rugby players but rather the rare quality of being an example for people around you – it was a pleasure meeting you!
Stabilid Cape would like to use this opportunity to thank you for your time and the great message that you shared with us. Using your rugby career background, you were able to present and convey a motivational chat in an uncomplex and meaningful way, backdropping on the construction industry as you went along making it an enjoyable experience. After the session, we had some drinks with the staff and the interesting part was listening to the pointers that they picked from the session that they could associate with. We are looking forward to seeing how the staff apply and implement these pointers. We thank you.Anro Dames, Managing DirectorStabilid Cape Construction
Stabilid Cape would like to use this opportunity to thank you for your time and the great message that you shared with us. Using your rugby career background, you were able to present and convey a motivational chat in an uncomplex and meaningful way, backdropping on the construction industry as you went along making it an enjoyable experience. After the session, we had some drinks with the staff and the interesting part was listening to the pointers that they picked from the session that they could associate with. We are looking forward to seeing how the staff apply and implement these pointers. We thank you.
What a true role model for our youth! Knowing that you will meet a world-famous rugby player makes you break out in a cold sweat. How do I act, what do I say to him? With a firm handshake and a straight look in the eyes, all preconceived notions disappear, and you are immediately comfortable. Every child’s handshake is sincerely meant. The image you radiated was humble and one of not being ‘afraid’ of a challenge, but above all that your actions be a testimony to you. Corné, our children will remember you! Thank you for being able to inspire them! Sincere thanksJeanri Jonker, Ferrum High School
What a true role model for our youth! Knowing that you will meet a world-famous rugby player makes you break out in a cold sweat. How do I act, what do I say to him? With a firm handshake and a straight look in the eyes, all preconceived notions disappear, and you are immediately comfortable. Every child’s handshake is sincerely meant. The image you radiated was humble and one of not being ‘afraid’ of a challenge, but above all that your actions be a testimony to you. Corné, our children will remember you! Thank you for being able to inspire them! Sincere thanks
We had the honour of having Corne speak at a recent conference attended by independent retailers of our group. After the past 20 months of dealing with the pandemic, we could not have asked for a better person to give us insight into what it takes to lead through difficult times. Corne is real, authentic, humble and at times even vulnerable. Exactly what we as leaders need to be in times like these. Definitely not your showboating, quick-fix motivational speaker, but a person that had to lead our national team through some of the most difficult times. With short, to-the-point examples of what worked for him, Corne gave practical advice that will be effective in business as well. The response we had from our audience has been phenomenal, a true reflection of the impact Corne had.Hennie Senekal, Regional ExecutiveBuilt It
We had the honour of having Corne speak at a recent conference attended by independent retailers of our group. After the past 20 months of dealing with the pandemic, we could not have asked for a better person to give us insight into what it takes to lead through difficult times. Corne is real, authentic, humble and at times even vulnerable. Exactly what we as leaders need to be in times like these. Definitely not your showboating, quick-fix motivational speaker, but a person that had to lead our national team through some of the most difficult times. With short, to-the-point examples of what worked for him, Corne gave practical advice that will be effective in business as well. The response we had from our audience has been phenomenal, a true reflection of the impact Corne had.