London – Possibly the biggest legend of them all in the Bok squad at this World Cup, Schalk Burger, hinted strongly last night that the bronze medal match against Argentina tomorrow night would be his last in the green and gold.
At this World Cup, Jean de Villiers has retired because of injury, Fourie du Preez and Victor Matfield have confirmed they are pulling the plug on their international careers and speculation is rife that Bryan Habana could also be making an announcement regarding his Springbok future in the not-too-distance future.
Last night Burger, who had just been named in a Springbok team showing just two changes to the side that narrowly lost to the All Blacks, said it was unlikely that he would play for the Boks next year.
“I don’t want to talk about my future with the Boks when the focus has to be on beating Argentina,” Burger said. “Let’s give it a month and I will provide an answer to that question.”
A broad hint indeed from the 32-year-old who later added the following in response to a question as to his plans for 2016: “I will be back in Japan next week, then with the Stormers next year. The Rugby Championship? I don’t think so.”
Burger had a fine year with the Boks, a few mistakes in the semi-final notwithstanding, and it is almost certain that he will bow out after the Pumas game tomorrow night.
“There are a lot of us looking to finish off and move on,” Burger said. “The senior guys here at the World Cup put a lot of effort into turning things around after losing to Japan, only to end two points adrift of New Zealand. We want to make sure we finish in the right fashion by clinching the bronze medal.”
Burger then added with a smile: “I have done the whole World Cup circuit – from being nowhere in 2003 to gold in 2007 and then nothing in 2011, so a bronze will do nicely for my collection!”
Burger said the past few days had been tough for the players in the aftermath of losing to the All Blacks.
“It was not easy on the body but it is the mind that felt like mashed potato. We were given time off until practice on Wednesday (yesterday) and the guys did whatever they wanted with the proviso that we regrouped for training with the defeat behind us and our focus on the Pumas, who have been playing outstanding rugby.
“I played golf on Monday and then on Tuesday had a good lunch with mates in Chelsea. The demons are gone and I am ready to play again,” Burger declared. “We all are. It is a pity we are playing for bronze and not gold but we have a lot of motivation because quite a few players are moving on.”
That was another hint that the exodus of experience will go beyond Matfield and Du Preez.
“The Pumas at this World Cup have shown how far they have come. Their quarter-final win against Ireland was the best I have ever seen Argentina play,” Burger said. “You can clearly see the influence of (former All Blacks coach) Graeme Henry in their approach. They want to keep the ball in hand and use the width of the field. Just like the All Blacks, they are now keeping their loose forwards in the trams and their tight forwards in the middle. That is how they caught Ireland off guard, who were expecting the Pumas to play a direct game up the middle, but instead they spread the ball.”
The two changes to the Bok side see Ruan Pienaar coming in for the injured Du Preez, with Rudy Paige on the bench; and Victor Matfield starting for Lood de Jager.
Springboks:
Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana, Handré Pollard, Ruan Pienaar, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield (capt), Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira. Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Lood de Jager, Willem Alberts, Rudy Paige, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein. - The Star