The entire Springbok squad came together at Montecasino in Johannesburg to join 400 guests at the annual Love Of The Game banquet in support of the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players Fund, helping players who’ve suffered serious injury playing rugby, and working to make the game safer across all levels.
Having hosted the previous year’s event in Cape Town, Dan returned again as host this year, on a night that saw former Springbok winger Ashwin Willemse deliver an emotional and inspiring keynote address, and Dan interview Springbok captain Jean de Villiers and team-mate Victor Matfield on stage ahead of the upcoming Castle Championship.
South African Rugby Legends CEO Stefan Terblanche and Chairman Gavin Varejes presented a cheque for R400 000 to Players Fund Chairman Morne du Plessis, which was supplemented by a further R100 000 by Springbok vehicle supplier BMW; together with a very successful auction, the night proved a huge boost for the Players Fund, and the work that it does.
With Jean de Villiers assuring Dan on stage that the Boks were well placed to win next year’s World Cup, and several of the injured players supported by the fund in attendance providing inspiration to the guests, the evening was a success in every sense, with both Jean and Morne paying particular tribute to Dan for his MC role on the night.