Schalk Burger
![]() Burger withSouth Africain 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Full name | Schalk Willem Petrus Burger Jr. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 13 April 1983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Port Elizabeth,South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 114 kg (251 lb; 17 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Paarl Gimnasium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
University | Stellenbosch University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notable relative(s) | Schalk Burger(father) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occupation(s) | Rugby player | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Schalk Willem Petrus Burger Jr.(born 13 April 1983)[1]is a South African former professionalrugby unionplayer. He played as aflankerforSaracensin theEnglish Premiershipand has won 86 caps forSouth Africa.
He was a member of the2007 Rugby World Cup-winning team, has twice been named South African Rugby Player of the Year (in 2004 and 2011), and was namedIRB Player of the Yearin 2004, among other accolades. He also holds the record for the most appearances (84) and most tries scored (13) by a Springbok flanker. However, Burger's physical approach has also resulted in him being shown a yellow card six times in international rugby, second only to Italy'sMarco Bortolami(7 times) as of June 2014.[2]Burger has also suffered injuries, especially to his neck and knee, which have sidelined him for considerable periods at a time. He has also played four times for theBarbarians.
Early life
[edit]Burger is one of a handful of second-generation Springboks. His father, also calledSchalk Burger,was an internationallock,being capped for South Africa during the "isolation years" of the 1980s. Burger attended high school atPaarl Gimnasium,along with future teammate and Springbok captainJean de Villiers,and enjoyed success in many sports. Burger attendedStellenbosch Universityand stayed in Eendrag Men's Residence before leaving in order to pursue a full-time rugby career.[1]
Rugby career
[edit]After playing for the Under 21 Springbok side that won theU21 Rugby World Cupin 2002 and then captaining it in 2003, Burger was selected for the senior Springbok squad. He made his debut againstGeorgiain 2003 at theRugby World Cupand has since carved out a name as one of the best flankers in the world with solid performances in theSuper 12,Tri-NationsandCurrie Cup.
2004
[edit]In 2004, Burger was selected as part of a rejuvenated Springbok squad which, under the guiding hand of new coachJake White,went on to win the Tri-Nations trophy for the first time sinceNick Mallett's team managed the feat in 1998.
To cap off a magnificent year, Burger was also awarded the most prestigious rugby player's award, theIRB International Player of the Yearaward in the 2004 season. In addition, he claimed the 2004 ABSA SA Rugby Player of the Year award.
2006
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Stormers_super_14.jpg/240px-Stormers_super_14.jpg)
After an indifferent2006 Super 14 season,during which Burger showed only flashes of the brilliance that took him to the peak of world rugby, he was to once again start in his favoured number 6 shirt ( openside flanker in South African rugby) in the national team for the upcoming expanded Tri-Nations test series against Australia and New Zealand. However, in the Springboks'Test matchagainstScotlandon 17 June, Burger suffered a serious neck injury. The following day, it was confirmed that he would requirecervical fusionsurgery and would be out of action for at least the remainder of 2006.[3]The injury and the required surgery were serious enough for White to tell the media, "I don't want to jump to conclusions – but there is a chance he may never play again."[4]Burger's father told aCape Townradio program that the injury was between his sixth and seventhcervical vertebrae,adding, "Although the operation is difficult the fact that the injury is lower down his neck is good for a future prognosis of making a full recovery."[4]TheSouth African Rugby Unionreleased a statement on 24 June, the date of the surgery, indicating that the surgery was successful and that Burger would undergo six to eight months of rehabilitation, with plans to return him to the game.[5]
2007 – Rugby World Cup Champion
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/South_Africa_-_England_RWC_2007_try_14092007.jpg/300px-South_Africa_-_England_RWC_2007_try_14092007.jpg)
Following successful surgery and rehabilitation, Burger returned to the Vodacom Stormers line-up on 13 January 2007, playing 55 minutes as the Stormers lost to the Bulls. Despite the loss, Burger did show flashes of the brilliance that took him to the peak of world rugby in 2004–05.[citation needed]After a shaky start to the 2007 Super 14 season, Burger inspired the Stormers to their first win of the campaign against the Chiefs as the Stormers recorded their first points of the season in a tense 21–16 victory at the Newlands Stadium.
In mid-2007 he was picked in the Springboks squad for the2007 Rugby World Cup.He was linked with a move toHarlequinsof theEnglish Premiershipafter the cup.[6]
During the Springboks' first match of the Rugby World Cup againstSamoa,Burger was cited for a high tackle onJunior Polu,and on 11 September was given a four-match suspension which would have in theory kept him out of the team until the semi-final. However, this was reduced to a two-match suspension on appeal.[7]
Burger would return to play a key role in South Africa's World Cup triumph as the Springboks defeatedEngland15–6 to lift the Webb Ellis trophy for the second time in four attempts.
2008
[edit]In March 2008, Burger was banned for openly abusing a touch judge in a Super 14 game for the Stormers against the Sharks in Durban.[8]The touch judge in question had suggested the referee send Burger to the sin-bin for an offense that the referee hadn't seen. Upon leaving the field, Burger was seen to be gesticulating and shouting at the touch judge. The citing commissioner decided that Burger be banned for two weeks for his actions. After another great season which saw the Stormers finish just short of making the play-offs, Burger was selected by new coachPeter de Villiersfor the Springboks'2008 Tri Nationscampaign.
2009
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Stormers_rugby.jpg/220px-Stormers_rugby.jpg)
Burger was selected for the Springboks' to play theBritish & Irish Lions,not having played since injuring his calf muscle in April while playing for the Stormers.[9]
During the opening minute of thesecond British & Irish Lions testatLoftus Versfeld,Pretoria, Burger made contact with the eyes of Lions wingerLuke Fitzgerald.The incident was seen by touch judgeBryce Lawrencewho reported it to match refereeChristophe Berdos,who awarded a yellow card. Burger was subsequently cited by the commissioning officer for "making contact with the eye area"[10]and then handed an eight-week ban. A later investigation by judicial officer Alan Hudson concluded that contact with the face was made but there was no intention to gouge Fitzgerald's eyes, but that Burger acted "contrary to good sportsmanship by making contact with the face in the eye area."[11]Burger responded by saying "...I only have the utmost respect for the traditions of the wonderful game of rugby. Through my life and career I have always approached the game with the intention only of playing it hard and fair. I am not a rugby thug and will never intentionally engage in eye gouging or similar illegal actions."[11]
2010
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/2007_Rugby_Final_England_medals.jpg/220px-2007_Rugby_Final_England_medals.jpg)
Burger was selected for the 2010 Tri Nations series as part of the South African squad to play six matches. The first game was against New Zealand on 10 July 2010 in Auckland. He started that match at blindside Flanker. South Africa lost that match 32–12. But in the second game against New Zealand which South Africa lost 31–17 Burger scored a try. He scored his second and final try of the tournament against New Zealand.
During the2010 Currie Cupfinal, whichWestern Provincelost to the Sharks 30–10, Burger suffered a broken rib. However, he was not substituted during the match, and also scored Western Province's only try. Scans after the game revealed the injury, which would force Burger to miss the2010 end-of-year rugby union testsagainst the Home Unions.[12]
2011 – Rugby World Cup
[edit]Burger was selected for the2011 Rugby World Cup.He played the first game against Wales which South Africa won 17–16. He played all the matches in group D. South Africa were knocked out however in the Quarter Finals against Australia. He was ruled out of South Africa's Summer tour of England with injury. In November at the end-of-year awards ceremony in Johannesburg, Burger was named the SARU's Player of the Year for the second time, becoming the fifth Springbok to win the award more than once.[13]
2012–13
[edit]Over the following two seasons, Burger struggled with injury and illness.
During preparations for the2013 Super Rugby season,Burger pulled up during a running exercise after experiencing spasms in his left calf.[14]A back scan revealed acystnext to his spinal cord impacting the nerve which influenced the calf muscle's performance, and he underwent an operation to drain the cyst and relieve pressure on the nerve.[14]It was thought at the time that Burger would miss at least the first three weeks of the season.[15]
However, severe complications followed. During the initial operation, Burger contracted a hospital bug,[14]which resulted inbacterial meningitis.[14][16]At one stage during the isolation period, Burger's condition became so serious that there were genuine fears for his life.[14]After his situation had improved, he then had to endure a series of operations to remove the cyst completely.[14]In total, Burger would spend six weeks in hospital and a further eight weeks recovering indoors.[17]Burger resumed training at the end of July,[17]but was reluctant to set a definite return date:
To give a timeline is quite difficult... I certainly don't want to over-commit. The good news is that I can start to train properly and get the heart-rate up. That, in itself, is exciting news and I look forward to increasing my training schedule over the next few weeks with the help of the strength and conditioning team at WP Rugby. We will then reassess things again in a month's time.[17]
Burger finally returned to action in late September, coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes of theCurrie Cupmatch between Western Province andFree State Cheetahsin Bloemfontein.[18]Although it was not a spectacular comeback, he emerged unscathed as Western Province came from behind to win 29–27.[18]It was Burger's first competitive appearance since injuring his knee 18 months earlier.[18]
2014
[edit]On 24 May, during the Stormers' 33–0 win over the Cheetahs, Burger suffered a neck injury. The injury was not serious, but he failed to recover in time for the following match against the Sharks in Durban.[19] On 2 June, it was announced that Burger had signed a two-year contract withJapaneseTop LeaguesideSuntory Sungoliath.[20][21]As part of his contract, he would still be available to play for theStormersand the national side, but would not feature during the2014 Currie Cup.[21][22] For the 2014 June test series against Wales and Scotland, Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer named Burger and Victor Matfield in the squad of 36 players. Both had not played for South Africa since the 2011 World Cup.[23]
2015 – Rugby World Cup Bronze Medalist
[edit]Due to his success in returning to the Springboks after recovering from spinal meningitis, he was awarded the Comeback of the Year Award at theLaureus World Sports Awards.[24]He joined thelist of Super Rugby centurionsduring their Round 7 match against theHighlandersinDunedin,[25]starting the match which ended in a 21–39 defeat for the Stormers.[26]Selectedas part of the Springbok squad at the2015 Rugby World Cup,Schalk started in all seven matches, the majority asopenside flanker,with a sole appearance asnumber eightin theirPool B matchagainstJapan.The Springboks reached thesemi-finals,bowing out to eventualchampionsNew Zealand(18–20), before clinching the Bronze Final against Argentina (24–13). Burger scored tries against Samoa and Scotland in the pool stages, and assistedFourie du Preez's try in their victory againstWales(23–19) in the Quarter Finals. Schalk finished the tournament as the player with the equal secondmost RWC tournament participations(4), equal third most RWC matches won[27](16), as well as being the player with the equal secondhighest number of RWC matches contested[28](20), bested solely byJason LeonardandRichie McCaw(22). Burger was also drawn into 2015 RWC sponsorsSociété Générale's dream team,[29]taking the position of openside flanker. Dismissing any notion of continuing to play for the Springboks in 2016 and beyond, Burger had suggested the commencement of his international retirement after the 2015 RWC Bronze Final.[30][31][32][33]
2016 – Saracens
[edit]Burger signed a two-year deal to joinEnglish PremiershipsideSaracensprior to the 2016–2017 season.[34]He helped Saracens win theEuropean Champions Cupin 2017 and 2019, featuring in both finals.[35][36]In December 2018 Burger announced that he would be leaving Saracens at the end of the 2018-2019 season to return to Cape Town.[37]
International statistics
[edit]Test Match record
[edit]Against | P | W | D | L | Tri | Pts | %Won |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 80 |
![]() |
18 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
British and Irish Lions | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
![]() |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 83.33 |
![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
![]() |
5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 100 |
![]() |
5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 40 |
![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 100 |
![]() |
16 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 15 | 31.25 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
![]() |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 100 |
![]() |
6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 100 |
![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 100 |
![]() |
9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 100 |
Total | 86 | 57 | 1 | 28 | 16 | 80 | 66.86 |
Pld = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, Tri = Tries Scored, Pts = Points Scored
Test tries (16)
[edit]Personal life
[edit]Burger is the eldest child of Schalk Burger Snr and his wife Myra. He has two younger siblings – brother Tiaan and sister René, who in 2008 gained international attention for speaking out after she was gang-raped.[38]
When not playing rugby, Burger lives and works with his family on the Welbedacht Wine Estate nearWellington, Western Cape.
After dating for six years, Burger was engaged to Michele de Munck, an interior designer from Cape Town.[39]They married at the Welbedacht Estate on 3 December 2011. The couple had their first child, Schalk Jr, in August 2012,[40]and their second son Nicol was born in March 2014.[41]
References
[edit]- ^ab"Springbok rugby player, Schalk Burger is born in Port Elizabeth".South African History Online.Retrieved3 June2014.
- ^"Most Individual Yellow Cards in Test Rugby".ESPN Scrum.Retrieved3 June2014.
- ^"Burger blow for the Springboks",Planet-Rugby.com,19 June 2006.
- ^ab"Fears for injured Burger's career",BBC,19 June 2006.
- ^"Schalk Burger jnr operation successful",South African Rugby Union,24 June 2006.
- ^Cain, Nick (29 April 2007)."Player exodus threatens world order".The Sunday Times.Retrieved30 April2007.
- ^"Banned Burger out of England game."BBC Newsonline, Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 05:35 GMT.
- ^"Burger banned for two weeks – Rugby News, Results, Fixtures and Features from".Planet-Rugby.com. Archived fromthe originalon 12 September 2012.Retrieved6 June2013.
- ^"Burger back for Boks",Sky Sports,23 June 2009
- ^"Bakkies Botha and Schalk Burger Cited",Rugby Breakdown,28 June 2009
- ^ab"Burger: I'm not a thug".Sport24.Archived fromthe originalon 14 January 2013.Retrieved6 June2013.
- ^"Burger blow for Springboks".ESPN Scrum. 1 November 2010.
- ^"Burger scoops Player of the Year honour".ESPN Scrum. 3 November 2011.
- ^abcdef"Schalk Burger blow by blow".Rugby365. 3 June 2013.
- ^"Burger to miss start of Super Rugby".ESPN Scrum. 19 February 2013.
- ^"Schalk Burger hospitalised with meningitis".ESPN Scrum. 28 March 2013.
- ^abc"Burger back training after overcoming setbacks".ESPN Scrum. 25 July 2013.
- ^abc"Schalk Burger returns to rugby".ESPN Scrum. 28 September 2013.
- ^Wagiet, Rafiq (29 May 2014)."Burger to miss Sharks clash".Eye Witness News.
- ^"2014 niên độ サントリーサンゴリアス, tân gia nhập ngoại quốc nhân tuyển thủ のお tri らせ!"(Press release) (in Japanese). Suntory Sungoliath. 2 June 2014.Retrieved2 June2014.
- ^ab"Schalk Burger signs two-year deal in Japan".ESPN Scrum. 2 June 2014.
- ^"Schalk Burger signs for Japanese team".Eye Witness News. 2 June 2014.Retrieved2 June2014.
- ^Said, Nick (31 May 2014)."Veterans back in South Africa squad for Wales, Scotland tours".Reuters.
- ^"Back from near-death, the incredible Schalk Burger earns comeback of the year".Business Day Live.Retrieved25 October2015.
- ^"100-up for 'warrior' Burger".Stormers. 26 March 2015.Retrieved28 March2015.
- ^"SA Rugby Match Centre – Highlanders 39–21 DHL Stormers".South African Rugby Union. 28 March 2015.Retrieved2 December2016.
- ^"ESPN Scrum StatsGuru/Test Matches/Player Records/RWC".
- ^"Rugby Union | IRB Rugby World Cup | Most matches | ESPN Scrum".ESPN scrum.Retrieved6 January2016.
- ^"Rugby World Cup 2015 Dream Team".dreamteam.rugbyworldcup.com.Retrieved6 January2016.
- ^"Schalk undecided about international future".SuperSport official website.Retrieved6 January2016.
- ^"Burger set to retire from Tests: Planetrugby.com".www.planetrugby.com.Retrieved6 January2016.
- ^"Habana: 'Schalk Burger is phenomenal'".Sports Mole.Retrieved6 January2016.
- ^"Habana: 'Matfield, Burger greatest ever Springboks'".Sports Mole.Retrieved6 January2016.
- ^"Saracens sign Springbok legend Schalk Burger"(Press release). Saracens. 4 January 2016.Retrieved4 January2016.
- ^"European Champions Cup: Saracens beat Clermont 28-17 to retain European title".BBC.13 May 2017.Retrieved11 October2020.
- ^"Leinster 10-20 Saracens: English side win third Champions Cup in Newcastle".BBC.11 May 2019.Retrieved11 October2020.
- ^"Burger to quit Saracens, head back to SA".
- ^Paxinos, Stathi (3 June 2011)."Fighting spirit runs in the Burger family".The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^"Schalk is engaged".Sport24. 5 December 2010.
- ^"What's in a name?".Rugby365. 21 August 2012.
- ^"Schalk Burger has a new son".SA Rugby Mag. 28 March 2014.
External links
[edit]- ESPN Scrum Profile
- WP rugby Profile
- "SA Rugby Player Profile – Schalk Burger".South African Rugby Union.Retrieved2 June2016.
- Itsrugby – Super 14 stats
- Barbarians Profile
- Schalk Burger & Sons Welbedacht Wine Estate
- Laureus Profile
- Rugby union flankers
- South African rugby union players
- South Africa international rugby union players
- Stormers players
- Western Province (rugby union) players
- Tokyo Sungoliath players
- World Rugby Players of the Year
- Rugby union players from Gqeberha
- 1983 births
- Living people
- Alumni of Paarl Gimnasium
- Afrikaner people
- Barbarian F.C. players
- South African expatriate rugby union players in Japan
- Laureus World Sports Awards winners
- South African expatriate rugby union players in England
- 2003 Rugby World Cup players
- 2007 Rugby World Cup players
- 2011 Rugby World Cup players
- 2015 Rugby World Cup players
- Saracens F.C. players