A delegation of eight coaches and players from the Springboks rugby team made their way to the Food Forward SA facility in Pinelands on Thursday, June 18 to assist in packing food parcels.
The visit to the facility forms part of a campaign by SA Rugby, where the Springboks assist in the alleviation of hunger. The campaign sells raffle tickets for between R12 and R32, with the players giving away some of their most prized possessions from the 2019 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Japan.
Some of the proceeds made from this will also go to Gift of the Givers.
Jacques Nienaber and Siya Kolisi were joined by team mates Mzwandile Stick, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi and Steven Kitshoff, as well as Blitzbok and Imbokodo captains, Siviwe Soyizwapi and Zintle Mpupha.
“Last year our message was #StrongerTogether and we really believed that the people of South Africa were behind us during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan,” said Kolisi. “Our presence here is just a thank you, really, and to help out where we can as a team and to say to the people of South Africa that we are with you. I know how much of a difference any bit of help can make. You can donate a small item to any charity that is raising money or buy a ticket to help our project, and it will make a difference because it takes the pressure off people who are struggling to survive.”
“This was a great effort by the guys as well our Blitzbok and Imbokodo colleagues, and I would like to appeal to supporters to buy their raffle tickets, because they will not only stand the chance to win some amazing items, but their donation will make a difference in the lives of many people who are struggling at the moment,” he added.
According to Kitshoff, the campaign is nearing its end. He encourages people to visit www.springboks.rugby and buy a raffle ticket to win one of the amazing prizes up for grabs.
“This campaign works closely with Food Forward SA and Gift of the Givers, and they are making a huge difference in the lives of ordinary South Africans all over the country, with a helping hand where possible,” he said. “You can win some amazing memorabilia from the players, which carries with it some special Rugby World Cup memories from the players who were involved.”
Prizes announced thus far include a match jersey worn by Siya Kolisi in a RWC pool encounter, Faf de Klerk’s SA flag-print underwear, Rassie Erasmus’ lucky white shirt and a talk to raise funds for the winner’s charity of choice, a personalised RWC Trophy Tour to the house of one lucky winner, Herschel Jantjies’ RWC match jersey and the unique green “Champions” cap the squad wore after they beat England in the final.
To find out more on the campaign, click here, or you can head straight to Computicket to buy a ticket.
Picture: @bokrugby/Instagram