Burger King
19 Aug 2011
JON CARDINELLI says Schalk Burger’s growth as a leader bodes well for the Boks in a World Cup year.
‘My timing sucks,’ Schalk Burger says, referring to his swollen thumb and an invisible metal pin that’s keeping the previously dislocated metacarpal in place. He looks at the immobilised hand again as he alludes to a Tri-Nations campaign that will proceed without him.
It’s been 11 months since Burger last played for the Springboks. He missed four Tests last November after sustaining a broken rib in the Currie Cup final. He’ll miss four more as he recovers from a thumb injury incurred in the Super Rugby semi-final defeat to the Crusaders on 2 July.
‘I did a few sums after that game and realised that I’d be cutting it pretty close in terms of getting ready for the World Cup,’ he says. ‘It’s also the type of injury that forces you to adapt completely. I now have to do everything with my left hand, from brushing my teeth to wiping my arse. I also can’t play any golf or go surfing, so that just adds to the frustration.’
While there’s no danger of Burger missing the World Cup, he will arrive at the tournament having not worn the iconic No 6 jersey in more than a year. Critics will question his right to start given that so many impressive loose forwards are pushing for inclusion, but in the end Peter de Villiers may favour reputation rather than form.
That’s not to say that Burger, when fit, has been anything short of outstanding. If anything, his performances in the 2011 Super Rugby competition have served to highlight attributes that will be needed by the Boks when they go to New Zealand with the aim of outmuscling opposition packs.
Burger embodied the Stormers’ challenge in the recent tournament, and his masochistic attitude was particularly prominent in the matches against South African opposition. According to former Bok captain Corné Krige, who was himself renowned for a robust and uncompromising style, Burger can make a similar impact at the World Cup.
‘I’m not sure if there are too many similarities between Schalk and I, he’s a much better player than I ever was,’ Krige says. ‘He’s a great all-round player; he can play to the ball, he’s a powerful ball-carrier and a phenomenal defender. When it comes to work rate, I don’t think anybody else in South Africa comes close.
‘He’s surpassed my greatest expectations. I remember sending his father a text after Schalk scored a try on debut against Georgia at the 2003 World Cup. I wrote, “This guy is going to be one of the big ones.” He’s achieved more than I ever dreamt he would, and the great thing for South African rugby is that he has more to give.’
The metal pin in Burger’s thumb will be removed after three weeks, and he will resume training thereafter. It’s unlikely that he will make his return to the Test arena before 11 September, although he admits that he’d love to have a run before the squad departs for the World Cup.
‘My body will get a chance to rest after a demanding Super Rugby season, and I will also have a chance to condition myself before the tournament in New Zealand. But I really wanted to play for the Boks in the Tri-Nations and take some match fitness into the World Cup.
‘It seems that I’m always getting my timing wrong,’ he says with a light chuckle that suggests he’s not completely concerned about missing the Tri-Nations. ‘I’ve been in this position before and have managed to come back. My first goal is to win a place in the squad, and thereafter I will use those group games to gather some momentum.’
The Boks won’t be playing any warm-up matches prior to the global showpiece, so it will be important for Burger to get some form of game time before the opening clash against Wales. Even if it means playing 40 minutes of rugby for Western Province in the Currie Cup, he will need the match practice.
‘I’m usually pretty focused on the task at hand, and when a Super Rugby campaign comes to an end, I shift my focus to the Tri-Nations. But because of this injury, I’m now already thinking about the World Cup,’ he says. ‘The big difference between this campaign and that of 2007 is that the schedule is far more congested and there’s hardly any time to prepare. In 2007, the training camp was longer and we played three warm-up matches against Namibia, Scotland and Connacht before we even got to France. This year we will go straight from the Tri-Nations into the World Cup, so our preparation and attention to detail needs to be spot on.
‘This will be my third World Cup, and the build-up to each campaign has been different. The 2003 campaign was a failure as we bombed out in the quarter-finals, but to be honest we didn’t really believe we were in with a shot of winning the tournament. It was quite the opposite in 2007 as we went into that competition ranked No 2 in the world, so we were confident. This year we have a lot of experienced players, and there’s the extra motivation for some who will view the tournament as their swansong.’
The Boks beat Ireland and Wales on last year’s tour of the home nations, and thus managed to garner valuable psychological currency ahead of the 2011 World Cup pool match against Wales and a possible quarter-final meeting with Ireland. Burger admits that while every victory helps to instil a sense of confidence, the Boks won’t be taking the Celtics for granted.
‘A year is a long time in rugby. You can strengthen your mental hold over a particular team by beating them regularly, but every match at the World Cup is a one-off and past results don’t count for much. It sounds clichéd, but you have to go into the tournament with a week-by-week strategy.
‘The pressure intensifies when you reach the play-offs. What we will need to do before we get to that stage is play a good brand of rugby and ensure that everything is in place. When you’re under pressure in a knockout game, you tend to revert to what you know, so we will be striving for perfection at an early stage.’
Experience and leadership are precious commodities in a do-or-die situation, and this is where Burger, as a veteran of 63 Tests and a member of the 2007 World Cup-winning group, will come to the fore.
He has led the Stormers and WP to three play-offs in the space of two seasons, and the fact that the Cape-based team hasn’t won a championship trophy is no indictment on his leadership ability. Burger is quick to challenge those who would call the Stormers’ recent season a failure just because they were hammered by the Crusaders in their semi-final. He also doesn’t agree with the view that the Stormers have developed the same choking problem that afflicts South Africa’s national cricket team in major tournaments.
‘I can see why some people would say that,’ he says. ‘The bottom line is that we still haven’t won a championship trophy. It can become an issue if you get so close to winning and then fall at the last hurdle; it will always be in the back of your mind. But what people need to remember is that there are also a lot of senior Bok players in this Stormers team who know what it takes to win big tournaments having enjoyed success with the Boks in a World Cup, Tri-Nations or British & Irish Lions series. We were thumped by the Crusaders in that particular semi-final, but I don’t think you could go so far as to suggest it was part of a bigger mental problem.’
Krige was disappointed with the Stormers’ limp showing, but agrees with Burger in declaring the season a relative success. A former Stormers captain himself, he also believes that Burger is the right man to take the franchise forward, and that his burgeoning leadership skills will be a boon to the Boks.
‘I had my doubts initially about Schalk as a captain because I thought he didn’t want it enough, but he’s proved me wrong with some passionate and determined performances,’ says Krige. ‘He leads by example which is exactly what a captain needs to do. It’s a pity he never got the chance to carry that form through to the Tri-Nations because he would have added value to the Boks’ leadership core.
‘A good captain will always look to surround himself with strong leaders. It’s something I never had the luxury of as captain of the Boks back in 2003, as while I had the likes of Schalk, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Juan Smith, Jaque Fourie and Jean de Villiers in my team, they were all at the start of their respective careers. I would have loved to have played alongside them once they had amassed more than 50, and in some cases 100, caps because the more experience you’re able to draw on, the easier your job becomes as a captain. Schalk has shown that he can be as valuable a leader as a player in Super Rugby, and he will surely bring that through to the Boks in their World Cup campaign.’
There are those who have criticised Burger’s leadership style and accused him of being too laid-back to be entrusted with the ultimate responsibility. And yet, the 2011 season has witnessed a few moments where he has shown exactly what the team and its success means to him. Burger celebrated wildly after the Stormers’ come-from-behind win against the Blues in late May, an uncharacteristic show of elation that may have surprised local and foreign fans alike.
‘You’re always going to get emotionally involved as the leader of a team,’ he says. ‘That Auckland game was massive in the context of the season, as if we had lost that match, we would have been on a three-game losing streak and staring at the prospect of missing a qualifying place. So when the final whistle went I just let rip. It was a massive achievement in the context of the game and in the context of our season, and I just let the emotions come pouring out.
‘As you get older, you take on more responsibility, and I’ve discovered that I enjoy the responsibility of being captain. I haven’t let it detract from my individual performances because I believe that a captain and indeed every senior player needs to lead from the front.’
While the major decisions will fall to Smit and vice-captain Victor Matfield, Burger will be at the forefront of the Boks’ charge for an unprecedented third world title. Fate may have dealt him a poor hand on the eve of the 2011 Tri-Nations, but it’s at the global tournament itself where South Africa’s quintessential hardman will be looking to get his timing exactly right.
– This article first appeared in the August issue of SA Rugby magazine. The September issue – a 260-page World Cup special – will be on sale from 24 August.
109 Comments
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19 Aug 2011, 06:20 am
Robo-dragon!
19 Aug 2011, 06:21 am
“I haven’t let it detract from my individual performances because I believe that a captain and indeed every senior player needs to lead from the front.’”
Damn straight this machine had one of his best seasons ever in the S15!
19 Aug 2011, 06:33 am
Corne Krige — legendary failure. Worst skipper in history.
19 Aug 2011, 06:44 am
The Incredible Schalk…
THE most physical player in rugby… EVER… imo
no one throws their body into the battle like Schalk… no one plays with broken bones the way this guy does… he is a one of a kind…
he HAS to start for the Boks in the WC!
19 Aug 2011, 07:00 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-3: Kind of like poor old Taine Randell
19 Aug 2011, 07:00 am
Good morning all.
Ya this guy was a monster of note. Hope he does heal 100% cause now with Juan out we are in a spot of bother.
19 Aug 2011, 07:07 am
Burger king with a super sized heart, one of the greatest number 6 in bok jersey ever!
19 Aug 2011, 07:16 am
@Staal(Staal)-6: more Staal. Ja, I agree. With Scalla and Brussouw to choose from for the left side of the scrum we’re pretty much sorted in theory. It’s the right side that is now of concern. Alberts and Deysel perhaps?
19 Aug 2011, 07:18 am
II’d anticipate Schalk to rise to the occasion. He will be very influential in Kiwi next month. Very. I’d pick him with a broken arm. Even if he only uses it to threaten other okes.
19 Aug 2011, 07:20 am
“very influential in Kiwi next month” would not want to see that! Hehe oh well when in rome…
19 Aug 2011, 07:22 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-3: common Tackles, you know everything about everything. I’m looking for a convenient camp site to park our ‘van’ near North Harbour Stadium after the SA/Samoa game. Just a spot to doss and work off a possible sore head from cheap Kiwi beer.
19 Aug 2011, 07:24 am
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-10: not that kind of influential. Please No.
19 Aug 2011, 07:26 am
okay guys work calls. Speak later. Enjoy a wonderful day everyone.
19 Aug 2011, 07:36 am
This is one guy I would take to war with me. He is always giving 100%.
19 Aug 2011, 07:52 am
i would let schalk knock my chick up (if he wanted too)…and keep the kid…and love him like he was mine…he is that incredible…
just hope he doesn’t get angry and start scolding the ref in one of the knockout games.
19 Aug 2011, 08:29 am
read an interesting arcticle by Brendan Venter….he reckons Brussow and Scalk at 6 and 7 respectively and we have the flanks to bother the kiwis….
I agree with him.
Now if only our selectors would add Alberts at 8 we would be a real force.
19 Aug 2011, 08:49 am
Springbok captain-elect 2012
Juan Smith to challenge him if he continues with Test rugby next year.
Dog fight for no.7/blindside jersey come 2012…
Leadership vacuum will occur post 2011 RWC
Never been my favourite player BUT has an engine that is unmatched…Falls of his fair share of tackles,but when on form makes more than anyone else AND some.
19 Aug 2011, 08:51 am
Crazy thing he is only 28…..
19 Aug 2011, 08:55 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-3: Is it absolutely neccesary to take a cheap shot at Corne??? Get over the past and yourself pal.
19 Aug 2011, 08:56 am
imo Corne gets to much airtime…
19 Aug 2011, 08:57 am
Alberts a stronger, more physical player, in my view. Burger a close second to him.
Burger on the bench as looseforward cover, and Alberts and Brussouw as the starting flanks.
19 Aug 2011, 09:00 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-3: TheTackler – legendary Keo.co.za doos. Worst retread Japie in history.
19 Aug 2011, 09:06 am
@Stormtrooper(Stormtrooper)-19:
you know the saying…’you live by the cheap shot, you die by the cheap shot’…and corne sure did take share of cheap shots, on and off the field,,,
so i’m gonna go with tackler on this on.
19 Aug 2011, 09:15 am
I will have Schalkie anywhere in the back three. Just wish he gets this ambition of playing at 10 out of his head. Him and Victor both
19 Aug 2011, 09:17 am
@Champs 95 07 and Beyond(Champs 95 07 and Beyond)-24: schalk ahead of brussow?
Insane my man
19 Aug 2011, 09:20 am
Jake White summed it up when he justified choosing Schalk Burger over Luke Watson back in the day. He said if you threw one ball into a room, sent in Schalk and Luke Watson, shut the door and said who ever came out of the room with that ball would get picked… Jake said he could have done that as many times as he wanted and Schalk would have come out with that ball every time
19 Aug 2011, 09:21 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-21:
Yeah Alberts is quite the player.To think before Lions and Sharks-he was a Bulls u19 player straight out of Monnas….Was overlooked for Antonie Claasen
19 Aug 2011, 09:21 am
The reality is we need Brussouw in the team more than we need a Juan Smith/Schalk Burger combination.
Therefore, as sad as Juan’s injury is, and as big a loss as he is to the team individually, by getting the Juan/Schalk combination out of the tiny heads of our coaching team, and getting Brussouw back into the starting line up, this bit of misfortune may actually have served a positive purpose in the bigger scheme of things.
19 Aug 2011, 09:22 am
@joburgchief(joburgchief)-26:
Jake still wouldnt pick Heinrich
Jake is delusional
19 Aug 2011, 09:22 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-27:
Didn’t know that. Some guys are late developers, I guess.
19 Aug 2011, 09:25 am
Schalk Burger Jr Legend of S.A Rugby.
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-28: Agreed.
@joburgchief(joburgchief)-26: Scary.@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-17: Agreed.
19 Aug 2011, 09:26 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-27: And now Antonie Claasen wants to sip the red wine of Paris.
19 Aug 2011, 09:28 am
@we have it on good authority that on september 11, a legend will rise…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-15: :LOL: WTF
19 Aug 2011, 09:29 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-30:
Yeah true,was moved to lock where he didnt want to play and didnt get gametime with Cliff Milton and the boys there.Moved to the Lions.
He did have his fair share of injuries around that time. Was a teammates with him for a bit at UJ/Lions agegroup teams. The most physically dominant player I ever player with, a MASSIVE bloke with speed too as we all now see.Glad he is starting on the weekend.Hopefully the balance is better allowing Spies to flourish as an out and out ball carrier.Showed signs of improvement last week.Just needs more of that and to tighten up defensively.But its a start I guess.
19 Aug 2011, 09:31 am
@joburgchief(joburgchief)-26:
It was a stupid and meaningless thing to say by White – firstly, it cannot be proven who would have got the ball and secondly such an exercise is no indicator of excellence at rugby or leadership or anything worthwhile.
19 Aug 2011, 09:33 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-32:
Yep,there was a fair share of hype of him playing for Brive where he is captain I think.But that’s died down a fair bit much like when Gerhard Vosloo was there.The rise of Dusseatoir & Quadrogo killed off Vosloo and I fear the rise of Picamoles has temporarily ended Claassen.
19 Aug 2011, 09:33 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-21: That would be my loose trio combo too.
And Danie on the bench to cover lock.
19 Aug 2011, 09:35 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-34: Spies thrived on a good solid scrum. Here’s hoping the Boks can replicate that this weekend.
19 Aug 2011, 09:37 am
@25.grant10 I said I would pick him anywhere in the back three. I just hope Brussouw can be in peak condition to complete a game soon. We all know Schalk can broken thumb or not
19 Aug 2011, 09:39 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-35: Yes but that exercise would determine hunger and determination and i think you call it bloody mindedness to emerge with the ball by any means possible.
19 Aug 2011, 09:41 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-34:
Recall Spies’s dominant performance against England last year with Alberts on the field.
That is our best combination, especially with Brussouw and Bismark as our dedicated fetchers.
Why the coaches took so long to understand this boggles the mind.
19 Aug 2011, 09:41 am
The great green scHULK is our last hope. When at the top of his game in terms of fitness and form he is like having 2 players on the field. And the springboks (even when not a great springbok side) will always be difficult to beat when they ahve 16 players. GO SCHALK!!!
19 Aug 2011, 09:42 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-37:
It took me some time to warm to Alberts – and I know you’ve been a fan of his for years. But after that Bulls Sharks Currie Cup semifinal where he monstered the likes of Dewald Potgieter my eyes opened.
In that kind of form I’d love to have him in my team.
19 Aug 2011, 09:43 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-29:
@Robzim(Robzim)-35:
i dont think its quite correct to say jake said he would not pick heinrich. i think he in fact said he would pick schalk over heinrich if given the choice (this after having a question posed to him). it was never about heinrich as such on his part but in fact about schalk.
19 Aug 2011, 09:44 am
For Grant 10 You will be pleased to note or embarressed that Rod Kafer had another dig at John Smit this week. he showed numerous mistakes and replays of the Bok scrum going backwards because of the failure at no 3. the panel all agreed PdV doesnot have the balls to sack Smit, in the same way Deans sacked Rocky. However they all agreed on Smits contribution to the Game in the past and all respected him as a man and leader. But all were sniggering at the prospect that Smit will be the failure of this Bok team
19 Aug 2011, 09:47 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-35:
calm down robbo.
luke is awesome
19 Aug 2011, 09:49 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-35:
By the way, having seen Luke lead the Kings out against the Cheetahs in a warm up game a few weeks ago, I can tell you he is now part of the same fatboys club that Frans Steyn belongs to.
Lekker dik geword.
19 Aug 2011, 09:53 am
I think this is currently our strongest team, considering injuries:
1. Gurthro Steenkamp
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Heinrich Brussow
7. Schalk Burger
8. Willem Alberts
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Butch James
11. Bryan Habana
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Jaque Fourie
14. JP Pietersen
15. Frans Steyn
16. John Smit
17. Beast Mtawarira
18. Danie Rossouw
19. Pierre Spies
20. Francois Hougaard
21. Morne Steyn
22. Juan de Jongh
19 Aug 2011, 09:59 am
6 Brussouw
7 Alberts
8 Burger (c)
Bench: Pakslae/Ashley/Josh Strauss/anyone but Spies
Schalk should have been made Bok captain a couple of years ago already. And this nonsense with having a captain who isn’t the best in his position who has to deputise all the time to Matfield (great player, kak skipper), would not have arisen.
19 Aug 2011, 10:02 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-48:
Agree 100% with that squad barring bench slight tweek:
16. John Smit
17. Beast Mtawarira
18. CJ van der Linde
19. Danie Rossouw
20.Pierre Spies
21.Francois Hougaard
22.Morne Steyn/Pat Lambie
No way do I want ANY chance of Smit playing 3 ever again,before last week’s test maybe BUT after the massacre that changed momentum and we ended up losing game because of that. Full complement of front row please
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