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Cape Town - The Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Players' Fund will aim to raise an unprecedented R1 million for victims of catastrophic rugby injuries at their 13th annual Bell's Night of the Stars Rugby Extravaganza, which takes place on Tuesday, July 28 at Durban's International Convention Centre.
Tickets for the event, which forms part of the build-up to the Tri-Nations Test between the Springboks and All Blacks at Durban's Absa Stadium on August 1, go on sale at the end of May, but those who wish to book tables are encouraged to do so early.
The entire Springbok squad and management will attend the event, which starts at 19:00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1 from 20:00 to 22:00. Proceeds will go towards assisting the 95 catastrophically injured recipients of the Fund.
The cost of a table of nine is R8 000, with local ex-Boks of the standing of Henry Honiball, Gary Teichmann and Wayne Fyvie filling the 10th seats.
The Springbok squad will once again man the phones during a two-hour telethon that last year raised a total of R700 000. But the Players' Fund has set the target of R1 million this year, says chairperson Morne du Plessis. "The 2009 season has seen an unprecedented number of deaths and serious injuries on our rugby fields," he said.
"This year, perhaps more than ever, we would like to appeal to the public to phone in and give generously so that they can help us provide proper care to each and every one of those players, so that they can lead a positive life.
"We would also like to appeal to companies across South Africa to join us at the event by booking tables, and in so doing support a worthy cause and enjoy a wonderful night with past and present Springboks."
Former World Cup-winning flyhalf Joel Stransky will be master of ceremonies, while a celebrity keynote speaker and great entertainment have been lined up for the evening. In addition, 10 items will be auctioned while raffle prizes will be up for grabs.
Over the past month, three players - two of them schoolboys - have died in rugby-related activities, while three others have suffered catastrophic injuries.
An injury task team comprising representatives of SA Rugby, the Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Players' Fund and the BokSmart National Rugby Safety Programme will visit the Eastern Cape to investigate the safety measures in place at the various Easter tournaments held in the region, after 24-year-old Lihle Ntsepe of the Ikwezi Rugby Club died after sustaining a catastrophic neck injury in a match in King William's Town last week.
The BokSmart programme, a joint initiative between SA Rugby, the Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Players' Fund and Absa, will be officially launched in July, with the aim of reducing the amount of serious and catastrophic injuries in South African rugby.
