BURGER FOR BURGER
By Darraghgirl
July 10 2016
So we lose one Burger and gain another! After the departure of the legendary Jacques, the new season will see the arrival of Schalk. Schalk Willem Petrus Burger Jnr was born in Port Elizabeth on 13th April 1983. His father (also Schalk) played lock for South Africa during a time of International isolation. Young Schalk excelled at many sports at school but chose to follow his dad onto the rugby pitch.
He started his career with Western Province and was a member of the South African side which won the U21 World Cup in 2002 before going on to captain them in 2003. He was selected for the senior side in the 2003 World Cup, making his debut against Georgia. The following year he played for Stormers and was an integral member of the Springbok team which won the tri-nations for the first time in 6 years. He was voted South Africa Player of the Year and IRB Player of the Year.
In June 2006 he suffered a serious neck injury against Scotland which put his career in doubt. He underwent a fusion of 2 cervical vertebrae and was away from rugby for 8 months. He returned early in 2007 for the Stormers and was selected for the 2007 Springbok World Cup team. He was suspended for a couple of games early on in the tournament but returned to help his country defeat England in the 2007 World Cup Final.
He continued to represent Stormers and the Springboks, playing in his 3rd World Cup campaign in 2011 and winning the Player of the Year Award that season for the 2nd time.
In 2013 he became seriously ill, contracting bacterial meningitis following surgery to remove a cyst from his spine. At one time it was feared he would die but after 6 weeks in hospital and several months’ recovery, he returned to the rugby pitch 18 months after his last appearance. (Some sort of parallel with Jacques methinks). In 2014 he suffered another neck injury which was probably a major factor in his move to Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath.
He eventually regained his place in the Springboks team and in 2015 won the Comeback of the Year Award at the Laureous Sports Awards. He represented his country at a 4th World Cup in 2015, playing in all of the Springboks games.
He is not a stranger to disciplinary issues. He received a 2 week ban for verbally abusing touch judge Willie Roos in 2008 during Stormers match against Sharks. Then in 2009, playing for the Springboks against the Lions, he received a yellow card and a subsequent 8 week ban for "making contact with the eye area" (friend for Ashy then) although a subsequent enquiry confirmed it “wasn't intentional”. Plus ca change! He stands in joint second place with 6 for the most yellow cards received in international rugby. Burger did not feature in the recent Springbok series against Ireland having picked up an ankle injury in May. He recovered to lead the Stormers in a 2 match Australian Tour. There are rumours of his international retirement but these are unconfirmed. He has won 86 test caps and scored 80 test points.
The Burger family run a wine estate in Wellington South Africa. By all accounts they produce some fine wines with the Welbedacht, Proprietors and Meerkat ranges. Definite possibilities then for some decent wine at Allianz!
There will be a 3rd generation of Schalk Burgers as his eldest son also bears the name. Quite something to live up to!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:07:25:17:29:54 by Darraghgirl.
In a week when Barcelona are calling on fans to support the "innocent" tax cheating Messi, this is another reminder of the growing moral void in professional sport. A sizeable chunk of my reason for supporting Saracens was lost when I heard we had signed him.
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!