The cheque was received by former Springbok Morné du Plessis, who is the fund’s chairman.

“We are delighted to contribute to the Chris Burger and Petro Jackson Player Fund. It is doing great work in supporting seriously injured players and is helping to make rugby a safer sport,” said Reyneke.

The sum presented was raised last week via the auction of a Mandela rugby coin set comprising a half-ounce gold and a one-ounce silver medallion. The set features Mandela’s image on the front and the Springbok emblem on the reverse.

This particular set was signed by Joel Stransky, Kobus Wiese and Hugh Bladen, making it one of a kind.

Reyneke said: “As The SAGCE, we are proud to be offering a coin set that commemorates not only our icon Nelson Mandela but also the Springboks’ iconic 1995 and 2007 World Cup victories.”

The auction took place at the launch of a new Mandela rugby coin set containing a two-ounce gold Mandela medallion and a two-ounce silver Mandela medallion, both with the Springbok emblem on the reverse. Reyneke said that the silver coin was the first of its kind. “Paired with a limited mintage of only 500 units, this set is a must for any collection.”

He characterised the 2011 Mandela Rugby coin set as “a unique set for a unique team with a unique country united behind them”.

Image caption (from left to right):
Rugby legends HO de Villiers, former South African full-back and Morné du Plessis, former South African eighth-man, receive a cheque from Johan Reyneke, head of marketing for The South African Gold Coin Exchange and David Rogers, the generous buyer of the half-ounce gold and one-ounce Mandela rugby coin set at the launch last week of the company’s new two-ounce gold and silver set, on behalf of Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players Fund.