Stormers centre Ruhan Nel is raffling out some of his favourite rugby jerseys in order to help a missionary and feeding scheme in Cape Town.
With players currently spending a good portion of their time staying fit and conditioned during lockdown, Nel has decided to do something extra to help those who really need it.
The midfielder – who has also played 30 Sevens Series tournaments for the Blitzboks – is raffling three of his most valuable rugby jerseys, with all the funds raised to go towards the Vrygrond Outreach Ministry.
‘Hunger and starvation are rife in South Africa and starkly amplified by the Covid-19 lockdown,’ he told the Springboks’ website.
‘Mercifully, there are numerous organisations providing food for those in need and I decided to assist one of them, Vrygrond Outreach Ministry, in this regard.
‘The reason I chose Vrygrond is because their pastor’s son is the Stormers’ head physiotherapist, Wayne Hector.
‘Wayne raffled up a Stormers jersey on his social media platform and I decided to put a bit of weight behind his good gesture and also raffle three of my jerseys towards the cause.
‘Millions of South Africans are left without basic necessities during these times and if I can play a part in making a positive impact in a negative situation, I want to do that. I’m sure there are plenty others out there using their platforms for the same objective in this time, the more the better.
‘It wasn’t easy to part with these jerseys, to be honest, as all of them hold a special place in my rugby career and memories,’ Nel added. ‘But the cause is greater than my needs, so in the end it was an easy decision to part with the jerseys – some things are bigger than rugby.’
Raffle tickets cost R100 per jersey and supporters can win a Western Province Currie Cup jersey, a Blitzbok Rugby World Cup Sevens jersey (from 2018 when the Blitzboks won bronze) or the alternate strip of the 2016-17 Blitzbok jersey (in which they won the 2016-17 World Rugby Sevens Series), all worn in matches by Nel.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
