Schalk Burger will probably start on the bench for the Springboks when they tackle the Wallabies in a Tri-Nations clash at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday.
Adnaan Mohamed writes for Sport 24 that Burger was part of an 18-man Springbok-contingent that includes all the players on the fringes of Bok-selection that arrived in Perth on Tuesday.
Besides Burger, 18 other players and management, made the trip to Perth. The other players included the likes Ryan Kankowksi, Jannie du Plessis, Adrian Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Odwa Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Gurthröw Steenkamp amongst others.
None of these players were in the starting line-up when the Boks were in action in their last Tri-Nations fixture. The rest of the Bok squad trained in Pretoria on Monday and will only be arriving in Perth on Wednesday.
Juan Smith has been struggling with an ankle injury, but according to the Bok’s team doctor, Craig Roberts, Smith should be fit enough to face the Wallabies on Saturday. Danie Rossouw is also doubtful, but should also be okay.
It can therefore be assumed that Burger will definitely not be in the starting line-up come Saturday.
The fiery flanker is available once again after he was suspended for 8 weeks after making reckless contact in the eye area of the Irish wing Luke Fitzgerald. If Smith is ruled out, a combination of Burger, Heinrich Brüssow en Pierre Spies could develop into particularly exciting loose trio.
Bok coach Peter De Villiers is now also considering playing Ruan Pienaar at full back in the place of Frans Steyn. Steyn wil be leaving to play club rugby in France after the Currie Cup soon and De Villiers is looking at various options in the last line of defence.
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He Should consider himself lucky to even make the bench.
If Burger gets on the bench it should be in the place of Bekker and not Roussouw. Schalk can over for the loosies and Danie for the locks.
@McLovin (Comment 2) : I agree
But someone has a soft spot for Bekker…