Schalk to stay in SA

Schalk to stay in SA

17 Jun 2009

Schalk Burger has turned down lucrative overseas offers and will stay with Western Province for two more years.

The Springbok flanker had been approached by many clubs up north, but has opted to remain loyal to his province and country. His current contract lasts until the end of this year, but he has now signed a deal that will keep him in Cape Town until the end of 2011.

This will also make Burger eligible for the World Cup, which will be held in New Zealand that year. Burger backed Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus and ultimately said it it was the love of the region that kept him there.

‘The Cape is my home, and I am passionate about Province and the Stormers and am very pleased to be contracted to play for a further two years,’ Burger said in a statement.

‘I believe there is something exciting happening under the current coaching staff and am looking forward to the next two years of rugby in the Cape.’

The conclusion of the British & Irish Lions series is expected to yield the announcement of many senior Boks departing overseas, but Burger’s announcement is a major coup for the country’s rugby.


144 Comments

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  • 101.Viscount Crouchback: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 01:41 am

    Chaps,

    The definitive verdict on Schalk Burger was given by the (unsurpassed) Peter Winterbottom circa 2006. He said: Burger’s not a bad player – but he’d be a lot better if he knew when to enter a ruck and when not to.

    Alas, Schalk never learnt that lesson. He continues to run around like a headless chicken. To even name him in the same breath as George Smith or Richie McCaw or Neil Back (or even Winterbottom himself) is simply sacrilege.

    The Lewis Moody comparison is apt. Both play on the open-side but neither are classic fetchers; both are perpetual motion on the field; both have no fear; and neither has quite that sixth rugger sense that sets apart the truly great from the merely good. But I’d still pick Moody every time because he’s a team player and not an ego man.

  • 102.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 01:57 am

    #100 Crouching Tiger Hidden Bokke: Burger didn’t play in the 36-0, Wikus Van Heerden started and was excellent.

    I do agree however that Burger is an all time great, better than McCaw when the refs let him play.

  • 103.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 02:38 am

    #102 Big Hit:
    McCaw is a totally differnt player than Schalk.
    McCaw is a better fetcher,makes a bigger impression than schalk does for their team.Its like comparing a #10 to a #14,daft

  • 104.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 02:45 am

    #103 Hurricane: Maybe the ABs’ just rely more on McCaw whilst the Boks have a much more balanced team… ;-)

    I see some people in NZ are already complaining about the ref, even a few days BEFORE the match! Must be some sort of record… :shock:

  • 105.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 02:47 am

    #104 Koos: Ek sal ook gekla het as hy weer ‘n Leeu game geblaas het.

  • 106.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 02:50 am

    #105 Ed_die_Leeu: Dink jy daai post van my gaan daai anner ene uitlok, die een waaroor julle gister ge-epos het?

    Good teams win in spite of the ref, simple as that.

  • 107.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 02:55 am

    #106 Koos: Ek hoop so. Lus vir ‘n lekker fight.

  • 108.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 02:57 am

    #107 Ed_die_Leeu: Ek sal inloer maar moet tussenin bietjie werk ook…

  • 109.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 02:59 am

    #108 Koos: Geniet dit. Ek gaan dop hou hier. Gaan self so bietjie stryk eers.

  • 110.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:07 am

    #109 Ed_die_Leeu: Kan jy bietjie van my hemde stryk, ek is op my laaste ene vandag?

  • 111.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:07 am

    #104 Koos:
    Hey Koos
    Balanced team?
    Ok
    Dont know about the complaining about the refs over here before the match,are you talking about jounalists or actual fans and public,there is a huge difference as you should know

  • 112.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:08 am

    #110 Koos: Fok tjomma, dit is die kakste job ooit. Ek los alles tot die laaste, so nou is ek besig.

  • 113.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:09 am

    #104 Koos:
    By the way in McCaw was playing for SA i am sure you would be saying what i am saying,and all of a sudden McCaw would not be classed as a cheat

  • 114.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:09 am

    #111 Hurricane: I think what Koos are trying to say is that the NZ post are already complaining about the ref. Not normal for NZ.

  • 115.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:13 am

    #114 Ed_die_Leeu:
    Oh ok
    Not me Ed,dont care who refs as long as the ref plays a good game for both teams.I try to keep out of the blaming of refs,even though i have partaken a few ref bashing in the past,try to keep away from it now

  • 116.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:15 am

    Anyway guys have to do some work
    Catch you all later
    Peace

  • 117.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:15 am

    #111 Hurricane: Was a journalist saying how the AB team suffer under SA refs, thats all.

    #113 Hurricane: McCaw would have been treated the same way he is treated back home. Unless you support the Crusaders and Canterbury he is the biggest cheat on two legs…that is unless he pulls on the AB jumper!

    #112 Ed_die_Leeu: Ek weet, al probeer doen met ‘n paar biere op die kantlyn maar na 3 biere sit ek gewoonlik die yster af en soek ‘n stoel of iets…

  • 118.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:15 am

    #115 Hurricane: I don’t think there is a bigger ref basher than me. I don’t like it, but its normal. Just before the game I keep quite. If my team loses I go mad at the ref for 20 minutes, then I acknowlodge the better team.

  • 119.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:17 am

    #117 Koos: Hierdie ou is kwaai. Hy ken sy rugby ook. McCaw is goed want hy kom weg met wat hy doen. Dit was ‘n ander een wat ons moerrig gemaak het. Ek het die strykyster nou neer gesit. 2 hemde is genoeg vir een aand. :)

  • 120.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:17 am

    #118 Ed_die_Leeu: Ten minste kry jy baie oefening…

  • 121.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:19 am

    #120 Koos: Ons altwee kry moerse baie oefening. hehehehe. As elke provinsie sy eie ouens gehou het, was dit Cheetahs/ Leeus finale elke jaar.

  • 122.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:19 am

    #119 Ed_die_Leeu: Nee ek weet Ed, ek en hy gaan so aan vir ‘n lang tyd al maar hy verstaan die spot en doen dieselfde terug.

  • 123.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:20 am

    #121 Ed_die_Leeu: Nee wat, al lankal gelos om die ref te blame, help my span neks!

  • 124.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:23 am

    #123 Koos: Kom ons kyk na 5 spelers wat ons spanne verloor het.

    Rory Kockett
    Juan Deysel
    B D Plessis
    J D Plessis
    F Steyn
    Ruan Pienaar
    Vermeulen
    J Pretorius
    B Habana
    W V Heerden

    Net om ‘n paar te noem.

  • 125.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:27 am

    #123 Koos: #124 Ed_die_Leeu:
    More manne.
    Ed, watter thread was poppa op gister, daar waar julle mekaar so gevloek het, ek wil bietjie gaan kyk wat daar aangegaan het?
    Ek was nie gister heeltyd op keo nie.

  • 126.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:28 am

    #124 Ed_die_Leeu: Die lys is lank maar ek het al vroeer gese, tyd vir kla is lankal verby. Die hopelose admin in die Vrystaat doen dit al vandag ek kan onthou maar niks word daaraan gedoen nie. Hulle moes lankal strukture in plek gesit het om seker te maak dit gebeur nie maar hulle mors eerder geld op hofsake en sulke gemors.

    Lank lank gelede was daar ‘n bright idee maar Klub 300 en Gerrie Sonnekus het alles opgevoeter en ‘n goeie 15+ jaar aan sukkel ons steeds. Selfde mense sleep steeds voete daar, wat verwag jy?

  • 127.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:29 am

    #125 Pietman: Howzit Pete, laat weet bietjie oor daai ander stuk, jou gemail vanoggend.

  • 128.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:30 am

    #125 Pietman: More Pietman, hoe lyk dinge vanoggend. Ons het op hierdie thread gepraat.

    Kiwis lose rankings grip.

    Was nie te ernstig nie. Meestal Poppa en Supa.

  • 129.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:30 am

    #126 Koos: Feck!

    vandag = vanaf

  • 130.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:31 am

    #126 Koos: Alles gaan oor strukture, en ons altwee se spanne het fokkol strukture nie.
    Hoop maar dinge kom reg.

  • 131.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:32 am

    #129 Koos: Jy moet jou taal beter gebruik. hehehhe

  • 132.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:33 am

    #130 Ed_die_Leeu: Ja maar soos vandag se regering kla hulle eerder en wys vinger as om moue op te rol en werk te maak daarvan.

  • 133.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:35 am

    #132 Koos: Ek wil nie eers in daai rigting gaan nie. Kerse is OK solank daar nie gewerk hoef te word nie.

  • 134.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:36 am

    #131 Ed_die_Leeu: Spelling en vet vingers wat my in die steek laat…

  • 135.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:36 am

    Ok manne. Lekker slaap. Chat more weer.

  • 136.Ed_die_Leeu: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:36 am

    #134 Koos: Ek verstaan wat jy sê, so dit is ok.

  • 137.Koos: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:37 am

    #135 Ed_die_Leeu: Cheers tot later, hou jou hande bo die kombers…

  • 138.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 03:42 am

    #127 Koos:
    Sal bietjie kyk Koos.

  • 139.Greenpoint-Gunner: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 04:39 am

    This is the best news all day (cept for Bafana winning). I am sure that Luke Watsons move OUT of the Cape had a huge role to play in this decision.

    To be honest, I think Burger will now be a whole new player at the Cape without his best friend around. I am sure that this year Schalk did not play to his full potential, and he knew it, and he preferred it. I am sure that if Bakkies or Butch were in the same team as that clown they would not have played to their potential either. I hope we see a brand new Schalla and an injury free Jean next year!!!!

  • 140.Bospomp: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 05:20 am

    Burger does what few other players can do, he destroy opposition with hardcore tackles and a great ball carrier who shaw shank his way through oppositon with continious body on the line bashing that a handfull of players currently in the world will be capable off. I think his fetching is good enough, not at the level of George Smith agreed, but he is better on attack than Smith. He is a brilliant cros tackler and he gives an extra man to a pack of forwards because he is always there and not scare of anyone. Not only that when he carry the ball he always pull in 3 or 4 defenders and most clashes he comes of best with the opposition guy injured. I feel there is a whole famaily of youngsters that are just as good, Deon Stegman made Richy look over the wall during the Bulls semi and outperformed the so named worlds best by far, then Brussouw, he was ave during super14 but upped his game against the Lions and even Juan Deysel played well though he is more a ball carrier. NZ don’t have depth here, obvious during the test in France. The Lions just are not customed to the quick stay on feet fetching required by new S14 rules. Is here where George Smith, Richy and even the likes of Burger will out class them. The opposite is true, we’ve forgot how to slow ball down, driving together and killing opposition ball like the Lions do using old rules, will have to adjust really fast!

  • 141.kesbok: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 08:54 am

    Good news for SA rugby and the managment at WP must be looking to the heavens in thanks.

    I have to say that Burger without a shaodow of a doubt must be one the best Boks we have had in a long time. He has all the elements that make him a true great and I beleive that we will still see the best of him in the next WC. After that he should go to Saracens and accumualte some cash. For Schalk its more about rugby, the Cape and where his heart lies. Good on you Schalk we need a couple more like you in the modern era

  • 142.74-97-09: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 11:56 am

    Any truth to the run our that Brussouw may be playing for Leinster next season ?

  • 143.74-97-09: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 11:57 am

    rumour

  • 144.BlackPanther: Reply to this comment
    18 Jun 2009, 18:27 pm

    #104 Koos:

    A Safa laughing about others criticising a ref – Ive seen it all now !

    Oh dont forget the party line “McCaw the cheat”. The most disrespectful BS concerning 1 of the best players ever. And yet Safas say they love their rugby.

    I tend to agree with the Viscount on Burger. He’s an immense player but does tend to play on instinct and not necessarily on the finer cerebral points tactically at times. Lewis Moody is very similar albeit nowhere in the same class of Burger.

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