Schalk Burger says Boks are not yet World Cup contenders

Former Springbok flanker Schalk Burger has said that while he believes Rassie Erasmus will get it right, the current Boks are not yet contenders for the World Cup.

Currently playing for the Saracens, Burger (who played 86 Tests and captained the Springboks)  expressed his views in English publication, The Rugby Paper, after having kept “a close eye” on the Springboks home series win against England in June.

The Boks narrowly won the first test and then went on to win the second with more comfort. However the third and final test at Newlands would see England come away from the series with one victory.

Burger spoke of the importance of creating depth ahead of next year’s World Cup.

“We can’t be considered as genuine World Cup candidates yet, but, having said that, Rassie is going to get it right and the England series proved that we still have some super-talented athletes,”

“From that perspective it was exciting and the tough part for Rassie now going into the Rugby Championship is how he’s going to manage winning Test matches whilst creating depth in his squad, which is in short supply.”

The loose forward went on to specify as to which positions he believes Erasmus still needs to build depth in.

“We need cover at No 8, 9, 10, 12 and 15 and in Cape Town he (Erasmus) tried to give a few other guys a chance but it didn’t really work. It’s going to be a heck of a juggling act for him because the public will still demand results come what may, but he knows he can’t enter a World Cup campaign without depth.”