AFP

Following the recent devastation caused by natural disasters in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, Sanzar has announced it will dedicate the first round of the new Super Rugby season to help drive awareness and support for disaster relief fundraising.

Following the recent devastation caused by natural disasters in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, Sanzar has announced it will dedicate the first round of the new Super Rugby season to help drive awareness and support for disaster relief fundraising, by branding round 1 “Disaster Relief Round”.

The joint venture between the Australian Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby Union and South African Rugby Union, Sanzar will work with franchises and broadcast partners during the first round of games to raise awareness of how people can help those effected by recent disasters in the three countries.

The “Disaster Relief Round” will include signage at all Australian games and in commentary mentions and TV graphics across the three countries educating people on how they can do their part to help the hundreds of thousands effected in the three countries.

Some matches, including the Queensland Reds v Western Force match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday, will carry out collections at the ground and will be promoting relief appeals through signage in the stadium.

The Queensland Reds have also set up a relief fund dedicated to raising funds for Queensland Rugby Clubs devastated by the recent floods.

The Durban-based Sharks will be calling on supporters during their match against the Cheetahs to contribute to a local relief agency, following floods in South Africa's KwaZula-Natal and the Free State provinces that accounted for the majority of the 123 deaths suffered in South African flooding.

Meanwhile broadcast partners Fox Sports in Australia, Sky TV in New Zealand and Super Sport in South Africa, will be promoting relief websites for people to donate during their coverage of opening round matches.

Sanzar CEO Greg Peters said the tragic events that affected a number of communities in recent weeks were saddening to watch for people from all three nations.

“We are keen to use the interest in the launch of Super Rugby to support those impacted and to raise awareness of the relief funds and the different ways people can make donations.”

In addition to the first round activity, the ARU has already donated $50 000 to disaster relief efforts in Queensland, Australian teams and players have undertaken a number of fund raising initiatives and Wallaby legend George Smith with the Support of the ARU, has put together an amazing “Money Can't buy Rugby Experience”, which is being auctioned off via GraysOnline.

The Crusaders are putting their weight behind fundraising efforts to support the families of the 29 men killed in the Pike River Mine disaster.

They will have a collection at their round three home match against the Waratahs, when they will also play in a special tribute jersey which will be signed by the players and auctioned for the Pike River cause.

In Australia the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) has announced players will be doing their bit by donating some of their match payments, organising money can't buy experiences and giving up their time to participate in fundraising appeals.– Sapa