Bok wrecking ball
20 Aug 2008
Schalk Burger is a rugby phenomenon, but what makes him the player he is?
In the latest issue of SA Rugby magazine, Jake White, Richie McCaw, Rudolf Straeuli, Derick Coetzee and Henning Gericke all offer unique insights into arguably the greatest Springbok of all-time by explaining exactly what sets him apart from the rest.
White, during a detailed discussion, reveals that Burger “averages 21 tackles per game – seven more than the average for an elite international flank. He’s got great ball skills, an unbelievable feel for the game in the sense that his running lines are so good that he gets into excellent positions long before the opposition even realise he’s there.”
McCaw says, “He just flies in [to the rucks]. Every time you play against him, he’s everywhere. His work rate is amazing.”
In a revealing Q&A, we also ask Schalk if opensiders are born or made, what he defines as failure, if he’s received offers from overseas clubs and if he misses having Jake around.
Also in the new issue of SAR:
– The Springbok scrum no longer strikes fear into their opponents. Former Springbok front rankers John Allan and Guy Kebble explain why
– BJ Botha was a shock omission from the Boks’ Tri-Nations squad, but the tighthead prop, who 
recently signed for ulster, believes he can force his way back
– Player depth remains a top priority but South Africa can no longer afford to neglect the development of local coaches. SA Rugby magazine investigates Saru’s plan to implement a new coaching programme in 2009
– The increased involvement of the TMO has been the most hotly debated point of this year’s Absa Currie Cup. SA Rugby magazine assesses the positives and negatives of the system
– Craven Week is supposed to be a festival of South African schoolboy rugby where winning isn’t a matter of life or death. but for a group of determined talent scouts, it’s merely an opportunity to snap up the next 
Frans Steyn or John Smit. SA Rugby magazine finds out how a respected talent scout goes about his job, and how others, with less integrity, will do almost anything to get that important signature
– At just 19, Robert Ebersohn has already lent the Free State Cheetahs backline some much needed attacking flair this season
– Last year, a disillusioned Gcobani Bobo was released by the Sharks to play for the Springbok Sevens team. Now he’s an automatic selection for the Stormers, captaining Western Province, back in the Bok set-up and revelling in his amazing change of fortune
– Former Springbok flyhalf Gerald Bosch has played a major role in the development of Wallabies utility back Berrick Barnes
– Outside centre has been an All Blacks weakness since Tana Umaga retired at the end of 2005. But the problem of who to play there has finally been solved by the emergence of Conrad Smith
– Andre Pretorius’s career has been plagued by leg injuries, especially during the last four years. The latest setback came when he played for the Boks against the Barbarians last year, limping off the Twickenham turf after 33 minutes with a crocked foot. The Lions flyhalf has not played in a match since, yet despite calls for him to retire, he believes he will have a big 2009 season
– SA Rugby magazine is on sale from Wednesday, 20 August. To subscribe, e-mail subscriptions@hsm.co.za or phone (021) 416-0141.
667 Comments
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20 Aug 2008, 22:57 pm
carol meridith? pseudonym or female ?
20 Aug 2008, 22:59 pm
#651 ekweetniks: Who’s asking?
20 Aug 2008, 23:06 pm
#652 carol meredith: ekweetniks obviously. your response answers my question. Just checking as i’ve been reading this site for about 2 months and have found your and dawn’s posts to be some of the best.
20 Aug 2008, 23:11 pm
#653 ekweetniks: Cheers. Dawn is the early bird. I come out after dark. (Well nearly)
20 Aug 2008, 23:11 pm
Hellooooooo
I have’nt had a chance to read Keo today or browse for rugby news, anybody care to give me a quick run-down of the doings and screwings in the rugby world today ?
20 Aug 2008, 23:16 pm
#655 grootblousmile: sure. big news is that Spies has replaced habana on the wing
20 Aug 2008, 23:17 pm
#656 ekweetniks: Eishhhhhhhh !!
Unlikely…. but not a farktup idea !
20 Aug 2008, 23:19 pm
#655 grootblousmile: Evening, well its like this.
PDV told Victor to be polite to the ref on Saturday. Victor went off in a huff and JDV is taking over as Captain.
Bakkies has received a miracle cure and is playing on Saturday and Percy is now coming over to England to play for Bath (along with Butch).
Oh sorry, I have just woken up. I was only dreaming………………
20 Aug 2008, 23:24 pm
#658 carol meredith: Well, let’s dream on then…. my dream is that Snorre has the epithany to select a real fetcher, Baywatch Grobler, moves Schalla to Blind Side Flank and happily surpise us all by selecting Willem Alberts as No 8 and Morne Steyn at No 10.
And then I woke up and my coffee was cold and Paddy O’Brian kuksss on Snorre & Vic for moaning like little school girls !
20 Aug 2008, 23:24 pm
#658 carol meredith: please add that jvn is playing 8, juan is on the bench and watson at 7 has put on 10 kg.
20 Aug 2008, 23:38 pm
#659 grootblousmile: Shall I tell you about the next bit of the dream.
Steyn calms down a bit, Butch perks up a bit. Jantjes fluffs it, Percy comes on scores two try’s and coverts everything with relish and style (once again).
Aussies thrashed.
20 Aug 2008, 23:40 pm
#660 ekweetniks: A winning combination.
I’m off…………..
20 Aug 2008, 23:40 pm
#661 carol meredith: That was’nt a dream… that was unadulterated wishful thinking !
20 Aug 2008, 23:43 pm
#663 grootblousmile: Spooky, how could you tell?
20 Aug 2008, 23:54 pm
people who think schalk is overrated need their heads checked. no other player in SA comes close to him. baywatch, botes and all the other pretenders are half the player schalk is. not bok coach has gone near these supposed better fetcher options.
like NZ we’d be better of converting players like Joe or Spies into a 6 when schalk is injured coz the other options – including luke are just not physical enough to cut it at international level. that said luke has other skills which make up for his lack of phuysical presence – but you then need to ensure the loose trio balance is right to make up for what he lacks. you could not play luke and spies in the same back 3 for example. but thats just my opinion.
21 Aug 2008, 01:27 am
Yes Skalk is a world class flank. Not quite as good as Richie but close, maybe a bit more agressive.
I think it is agood thing he had a hair cut and his hair is not so bleeched blond, less easy to pick out at the bottom of the rucks
21 Aug 2008, 03:33 am
#61 “Kanko has flair but a suspect he is also a bit of a poof”
LOL
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