Burger back in business
16 Jan 2013
Fit-again Springbok flanker Schalk Burger will captain the Stormers in Super Rugby this season.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee also confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Jean de Villiers, who led the team to the top of the combined log last season, would be the team’s vice-captain.
‘We are blessed with an incredibly strong leadership base in every position,’ said Coetzee. ‘Schalk will have the Springbok captain in Jean de Villiers to lean on, a Currie Cup-winning captain in Deon Fourie and I haven’t even mentioned the likes of Andries Bekker, Tiaan Liebenberg, Duane Vermeulen, Dewaldt Duvenage and Bryan Habana – all of whom are leaders in their positions.’
The squad has been in Hermanus since Monday and the coach expressed his delight at the work done so far.
‘We’ve upped the rugby-specific side of things this week, but we’re also having a bit of fun and the guys have responded really well. We’ve still got two days to go after this, including a fun adventure race on Friday, and then we will turn our attention to next month’s warm-up matches.’
The Stormers will face the Cheetahs on 2 February in Bloemfontein and the Boland Kavaliers on 9 February in Wellington.
132 Comments
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16 Jan 2013, 14:17 pm
Returning dragon!!
16 Jan 2013, 14:26 pm
about time we had a stormers thread…!!
good news…
but will be interesting to see what form he brings to the team…
we all know he’ll give it 200 per cent and keep 2, 3 or more opponents busy…
but we’ll need to see if he can reach the level of play he has in the past…
good luck schalk…
will be great to see our forwards at work… however ac decides to select and/or rotate them…
16 Jan 2013, 14:32 pm
@ufo-2:
It’ll also be interesting to see where they use him, and who’ll play on the opposite flank. I suspect they’ll have Schalk at 6 and Kolisi in a Flo type role at 7.
16 Jan 2013, 14:34 pm
@ufo-2: We should stick to flying below the guppie radar
Prefer it when we are ignored, teased, tossed aside, disrespected, taunted and written off
Workedlikeafuckingcharm in the CC.
16 Jan 2013, 14:35 pm
@David-3: Then this could be the year Elstadt takes on a Danie Rossouw type role off the bench…….
16 Jan 2013, 14:37 pm
@David-3:
yeah david… the thought on every stormer supporters mind is how where, how and when we’re gonna use schalk…
i’m really happy he’s back but would’ve preferred him to come off the bench… but it’s all up to ac so we can just wait and see…
i think it’ll be great for the youngsters like siya, nizaam, eben and others to play with schalk… can only benefit them being in the same pack as him…
imo of course…
16 Jan 2013, 14:38 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-4:
for sure…
i see you’re doing a great job of it…
just kidding…
16 Jan 2013, 14:43 pm
@ufo-7:
Of course….. I know my place.
16 Jan 2013, 14:43 pm
Good call,AC .Great to see the legend back.
16 Jan 2013, 14:43 pm
but don’t change a thing…
i enjoy your banter…
16 Jan 2013, 14:49 pm
@ufo-6: You guys (and possibly the boks) need to use him more as a blindsider, with his new found distribution skill he is the ideal no 7 for the mountainfolk and Bokke. Gotta play him and Kolisi in the same side…throw in Vermeulen at the back and that is one potent back row! Now just to convince Flo to come to the sharks….
16 Jan 2013, 14:53 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-4:
Whatever.
Conference Title favourites.
This is your year.
16 Jan 2013, 15:00 pm
@Skeppie-11:
yeah bud…
i’m not to concerned about the numbers on their backs… the key will be the roles assigned to them by ac… and, like everyone else, very interested to see what that turns out to be…
there are so many permutations… so i’m not gonna fret or speculate too much about it…
only thing is i’d have preferred to see him phased back in… to toughen up his match fitness and contact… because knowing schalk he’s likely to go balls to the wall from the get go and get injured all over again…
but yeah… i’m very excited to see him back…
16 Jan 2013, 15:00 pm
Burger Kolisi and Vermullet will be a pretty killer back row for the Bokebacks.
With Burger Flo and Vermullet for the Boks.
16 Jan 2013, 15:12 pm
@gunther-14:
let’s see if schalk’s still got the shizz…
places for the boks gonna be pretty damn competitive that’s for sure… which is cool…
16 Jan 2013, 15:21 pm
Skoppie wont be happy with this.
16 Jan 2013, 15:23 pm
@John Galt-16:
That’s the least of the little fella’s problems.
Shoprite have got a steak special on at the moment and everything he’s held dear is crumbling before his eyes.
16 Jan 2013, 15:31 pm
@ufo-13: I agree, the man is a ledgend and still has a truckoad to offer
16 Jan 2013, 15:33 pm
Allistair C:
Dearestanimalfarm. Was he reading our stuff earlier this morning?
But coach Coetzee seemed to play down the possibility that Burger might do the blind-side task as a result.
“Siya was a natural seven initially, and he adapted well at six in place of Schalk. But the key thing about our loosie combination is that players are adaptable … Schalk can also play at seven, and even at eight.
“Siya is also now a year wiser, a year more mature. It depends who we are playing; what we want to achieve.”
16 Jan 2013, 15:33 pm
@John Galt-16: Does Skop not like Schalk?
16 Jan 2013, 15:38 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-19:
hehehe…
he does read this blog i’m sure…
remember in the ‘written in the stars’ doccie… where he said he’s happy for the stormers supporters on the blogs because they’re always getting stick… or words to that effect…
16 Jan 2013, 15:40 pm
@Skeppie-18:
hope he can stay injury free for the next few years…
16 Jan 2013, 16:06 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-19:
I think his best position for the future will be 8.
16 Jan 2013, 16:08 pm
@TooMuchRugby-23: That is a stretch ……he has hardly ever played there…….with Carr and Vermeulen I dont really see the need…..unless mass injuries again.
He is suited to play blindside imo…..
16 Jan 2013, 16:16 pm
@grant10-24:
He started off as an opensider, then gradually morphed into a blindsider when guys like Brussouw came to the party.
He has the groundskills and ballskills that is required from a modern 8.
Vermeulen is a hard grafter, but lacks the “flair” and running that I would like to see in an 8.
Schalk to 8, Vermeulen to 6
16 Jan 2013, 16:20 pm
@grant10-24:
Agreed.
He’s a 7 all day long.
16 Jan 2013, 16:20 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-20:
No, not particularly. He sees him in the same light as Matfield, Smit, Rossouw, etc etc.
Has been, old guard…whatever you want to call it.
16 Jan 2013, 16:27 pm
@TooMuchRugby-25: Not convinced. Also believe AC will use him as an opensider…..which scares me when we up against the Brussows, Steggmanns, Pococks and Hoopers of the world….
But let us rather wait and see….
16 Jan 2013, 16:34 pm
‘Disaster year’: Schalk speaks
2013-01-16 15:22
Schalk Burger (Gallo)
Related Links
Burger named Stormers skipper Bok props extend Bulls stay Sharks target fast start Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Hermanus – Schalk Burger has always been a bit of a rugby wrecking ball, and seemingly one without an “off” switch, given the near constant high work rate and vigour he is renowned for.
So it will be a relief to his fan club to know that the 29-year-old loose forward – confirmed here by coach Allister Coetzee on Wednesday as resuming the Stormers captaincy in 2013 – is keenly anticipating getting back between the white lines early next month after a previous year he described as “a bit of a disaster” given his unusual absence for some 11 months of it.
Enter the Sport24 SuperBru Super Rugby challenge!
Coetzee told Sport24 that he anticipated fielding the 68-cap Springbok in one of the warm-up games (they play the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on February 2 and Boland at Wellington on the 9th) – all going well, it ought to signal that Burger will be ready for the start of the Super Rugby campaign-proper against the Bulls at Loftus later in the month.
Burger himself also addressed one of the first media opportunities he has attended in some time, following a squad training session at a primary school here, held in typical summer Overberg heat of some 34 deg C.
“I’m ready to go and looking forward to it. Obviously pre-season’s been tough. Last year was a bit of a disaster; it’s good to be back on a rugby field.
“I’ve just got to try to get my conditioning back to a level where I can play some good rugby again. But I’ve got a lot of energy after just about a year on the sidelines – you build up some extra motivation.
“It’s also nice captaining the side again (Springbok skipper Jean de Villiers gets some respite from the franchise responsibility – Sport24) but it’s not about me.
“There’s a great group of experienced leaders all around … I’ve really just got to do some post-match interviews and keep you guys happy!
“Hopefully it will be a really successful 2013 for the Stormers. We’ve created many opportunities in the past to win the trophy … it’s a big competition and hopefully we can put ourselves right in contention again.
“You don’t want to jump the gun; you do have to take it week by week.”
Burger, comfortingly, has had a reputation before for getting back into the groove notably quickly after stints on the sidelines, though he conceded that the latest, long-term knee problem had been the most debilitating for him.
“When you first get back from an injury there’s always likely to be a little bit of doubt so I don’t want to heap myself with expectations. But you get yourself into form by training well; putting in the hard yards makes it a lot easier.
“Things can become a bit one-dimensional and stale when you play week in and week out. Hopefully having spent some 12 months out, I’ll have a slightly different outlook now, and put it to good use for the team.”
Burger said it was difficult bumping into rugby enthusiasts, in public, and being asked whether he had retired, given the lengthy duration of his absence.
“Yes, when you’re out grocery shopping – because that’s what you do when not (active in) rugby – every second person who speaks to you says ‘are you still playing or are you retired?’
“It does give you that extra motivational to get back into it. You’re a rugby player and want to play the game.
“But I did get good time with my wife and my little kid … I can tell you I’m an expert on the nappy drill.
“Still, getting back with the team makes you realise how much you miss rugby. It’s great to be running around.
“I’ve had plenty of (shorter-term) injuries in the past and I’m taking the view that this was kind of my sabbatical – hopefully this means I can play now to 2025!”
While Burger was sidelined, promising Siya Kolisi played commendably after a forced shift to the senior professional’s open-side flank role.
But coach Coetzee seemed to play down the possibility that Burger might do the blind-side task as a result.
“Siya was a natural seven initially, and he adapted well at six in place of Schalk. But the key thing about our loosie combination is that players are adaptable … Schalk can also play at seven, and even at eight.
“Siya is also now a year wiser, a year more mature. It depends who we are playing; what we want to achieve.”
*Follow
16 Jan 2013, 16:40 pm
I’ve been saying this.
For years, and years, and years.
Schalk Burger should concentrate on playing as a nr8.
Schalk to 8. Vermeulen to 7. Kolisi at 6.
16 Jan 2013, 16:40 pm
If I was Stormers coach my first choice starting pack would be
Kitshoff 1
Liebenberg 2
Cilliers 3
Etsebeth 4
Bekker 5
D Fourie 6
Elstaht 7
Vermeulen 8
With Schalk , F Malherbe, Rhodes and De Kock Steenkamp on the bench….
Unleash that bench with 30 to go and klap the Bulls into next week….
16 Jan 2013, 16:42 pm
@willievz-30: Well Schalk at 8 would still be a 100 times better than Spies at 8…..
Problem is Schalk has always fancied himself as an opensider….
16 Jan 2013, 16:43 pm
Welcome back Schalk. All the best for you. Hope the body will hold up.
Do your thing and please…don’t kick for touch if we can put points on the board. You have this habit of losing your mind as captain in the big games ie semi finals and finals.
Just take the points when they are on offer.
16 Jan 2013, 16:48 pm
@willievz-30:
Way too late for that experiment now especially if the player does not buy into it.
16 Jan 2013, 16:49 pm
@nama1-34: I am with you on this one…..
16 Jan 2013, 16:52 pm
Stormers are utilising Vermeulen not as a traditional 8, but as a pseudo-fetcher. Even more reason why Schalk would fit in there.
16 Jan 2013, 16:57 pm
@TooMuchRugby-36: Never saw Schalk do much fetching over the years…..saw Mc Caw, Phil Waugh and G Smith have many free luches with Schalk at 6 and J Smith and Spies in tandem though….
16 Jan 2013, 17:03 pm
Anybody knows if the match against the Cheetahs will be shown on TV?
16 Jan 2013, 17:15 pm
@nama1-34: He does not select himself anymore.
16 Jan 2013, 17:21 pm
This may end up being his swansong year if he picks up another injury,
I hope not. A fit Schalk Burger is one of the first players to be picked in any team.
16 Jan 2013, 17:22 pm
The Incredible Schalk was tried at No8 against lowly USA in the final pool match of the RWC, & did not impress (imo) – he was not used there again in that tournament. He played all the other matches at No6 (but then Juan Smith was at No7). To Schalk plays more like a (saffa) No7 … but mine is just an armchair opinion.
The Bokke need a No6 with stronger fetching credentials – however, the Stormers/WP can do what they like at loose forward for all I care …
16 Jan 2013, 17:25 pm
@Angostura-41: 2007 RWC
16 Jan 2013, 17:26 pm
@Angostura-41: He was Man of the Match against the USA.
Allowed him to focus more on a ball-carrying role.
16 Jan 2013, 17:28 pm
@Angostura-41: you are spot on….imo…he plays like a blindsider…is built like a blindsider….and could end up, at best, being an outstanding Bok 7…although Kolisi, Alberts and a host of others will be trying there best to keep him out…..
16 Jan 2013, 17:31 pm
@willievz-43: yes, ball carrying (& bashing up) in a saffa loose trio context, more a No7 function than a No6 function (where he is likely to be played by the Stormers).
16 Jan 2013, 17:32 pm
@willievz-30: Agreed! That makes a whole 3 of us now. You, me and Toomuchrugby.
16 Jan 2013, 17:52 pm
@willievz-39:
He is still the captain. You don’t want an unhappy captain on your hands if you are the coach. It will seep through the whole team and will have a negative impact on results.
AC should not have reinstated him as captain then.
16 Jan 2013, 17:56 pm
I just dont see Schalk happily trying to take on such a different role at 8 , at the age of 29……doesent seem practical to me…
16 Jan 2013, 17:57 pm
if schalk wanted to play 8 he would have done so in 2006 when we had the best fetcher in the country in LW being shunted to 8 to accomodate Scjhalks fetcher aspirations
16 Jan 2013, 18:59 pm
Ne1 no if we have managed to find another hooker???? We only have 1 fit hooker at the mo which is Deon Fourie. I reali hope his throwing in has improved because that is a serious weak point.
Not sure who else is around, S. Tobias was going up through the ranks but not sure if he is good enough. The hooker who played u21 last year has made the baby Bok squad so he might be ok.
Leave Duanne at 8, He’s the Bok number 8 and i doubt they gonnamove him and schalk around. Duanne is good off the back of the scrum.
I reali hope that Duvies doesnt start at 9, Schreuder and Groom are far beta.
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