Interview With....

With 50 tests already in his portfolio, 26 year old South African flanker, Schalk Burger, is rightly regarded as one of our game's best players. He was  member of South Africa's World Champion Under 21 team in 2002, was named as IRB player of the year in 2004 and picked up a World Cup winners medal in Paris when South Africa defeated England 15-6 in the Final of the 2007 tournament at Stade de France.

The Officer went on to explain that in his view the action was reckless.  While not trying to trivialise the action, the pace and physicality of top class rugby sometimes results in incidents occurring that are not intentional, but it is clear that the resposibility rests with the individual player to avoid reckless actions.

Named in the South African 29 man team, which flies out of the Republic on Monday 24 August for two tests with the Wallabies in Australia and one against the All Blacks in New Zealand, Burger is keen to regain his place on the test arena. Barry Ross spoke to Burger a week before the team departed to ask him about the Springboks standing in World Rugby and other interesting rugby matters.

BR- 2009 has been great for South Africa up to this point. A series win over the Lions, followed by two victories against the All Blacks is outstanding and you are rightly rated by the IRB as the World's number one team. What are your thoughts on this?
SB- We are also the current World Cup winners and with our record so far this year, we deserve to be rated highly. But we have a Tri-nations tour of Australia and New Zealand coming up and our efforts in this part of the World have not been all that great. Over the last 10 years in Australia, we have played 13 tests for one win (Perth 2005) and a draw (Perth 2001). During this time, we have played 11 tests in New Zealand for only one win (last year in Dunedin). As the World's number one side,We are keen to improve this situation.

BR- Why will things be any different this year?
SB- Well as I said, we had a win in New Zealand last year and while not going with an over-confident frame of mind, we know what is required to win there. Also we have quite a settled team at the moment and it has been a few years since this has been the case. Our team is also experienced and strong all over the park.

BR- There have been some criticism about the amount of kicking the Springboks are doing this year. Is this criticism justified?
SB- Every team has a certain style of play and we won a World Cup with our current stye. We play territory and if you can dominate territory, you usually win.

BR- So do you believe the game is better now that many of the ELVs have been discarded?
SB- The South African style of play is better suited to the laws in place now. It is the way we grew up playing rugby.

BR- Your lineout has played a major role in your recent successes. Why is it so good?
SB- Victor (Matfield) is in control of our lineout and we really work on it. It hasn't happened overnight and it has taken shape over the years. Our lock combination and our backup strength in this position, are both first class.

BR- What did you think of the Australian scrum during the recent Springbok 29-17 win over the Wallabies?
SB- They scrum well now and have definitely improved over the last couple of years. We saw in this year's Super 14 how good the Waratah front row was and that has flowed on to the Wallabies. The Australian scrum is definitely as good as the All Blacks now.

BR-  Your coach, Peter de Villiers, has received some criticism around the rugby world for some of his comments. How do you find him?
SB- First let me say that he is a terrific bloke and I am more than happy to have him as my coach.He knows the game and his assistants are also very good. Perhaps some people have taken exception to some of his comments but I find no fault with him.

BR- In South African's last test, when they defeated the Wallabies, they showed an inclination to ruck more than normal and often drove their opposition off the ground. This was different to some Springbok styles of the past. Will this continue in your game plans?
SB- Peter gives us tips on all of or opponents and as you can understand, we use different tactics for different teams. We are working hard on our rucking and we played very well in this regard against Australia.

BR- What does it mean to you to play for the Springboks?
SB- My first test was against Georgia in Sydney during the 2003 World Cup. I will never forget the thrill of being named for the first time. It is a hell of an honour, a dream come true and the feeling never leaves you. Every time you wear the jumper it is special and you want to continue to be a part of it, especially in front of your home fans in South Africa..

BR- Can you rate your backrow opponents?
SB- Any player who has reached test level is a good and worthy opponent. I have played plenty of tests against George (Smith) and Richie (McCaw) and I really respect these two. I know just how good they both are. Australia and New Zealand both have a good balance in their backrows, plus the Aussies have plenty of experience. I also rate the Hurricanes backrow of a few years ago and the Crusaders.

BR- Following on from that, who is the World's best player at the moment?
SB- That's too hard as there exceptional players  all around the rugby world. George Smith, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter from the southern hemisphere instantly come to mind, as does my Springbok team-mates Victor Matfield and Brian Habana, to name just two of them.

BR- Regarding referees, how do you handle the difference between the southern whistleblowers and those from the north?
SB- We must always remember that players have to adapt to the referees and not vice versa. We play under the southern hemisphere refs and their interpretations are often different to those up north. It sometimes takes a lot of getting used to.

BR- What about the South Africa quota system regarding coloured players. Has this caused any problems for South African rugby?
SB- I would have to say the Blacks certainly contribute and enhance our rugby. Men such as Brian Habana, JP Pietersen, Tendai ' the Beast ' Mtawarira, Ricky Januarie, Breyton Paulse and many others, have played test rugby by merit and no other reason.

BR- The Australian Rugby Union have been criticised for signing league payers over the past 10 years or so. Do you agree with this?
SB- We don't play or see much of league in South Africa, but  men like Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor, Ryan Cross and Jason Robinson have showed they have plenty to offer our game.

BR- After your three tests with the Lions, some people said that the Springboks crossed the line with some of their physical play. Do you have a comment about this?
SB- I don't want  say too much about this, except that all players at first class and test level are very aware that rugby is a physical game and there are risks of injury. Many believe that the Lions gave as good as they got. Rugby is such a huge game in our country and there is an unbelievable build-up for something like the Lions tests. I feel this build-up sometimes contributes to what happens on the field.

BR- Argentina is very much a part of our rugby scene. Do you think the Pumas should take part in the Tri-nations?
SB- I don't know much about the logistics involving such a decision, but I think if they were included, it would make the Tri-nations more exciting. It would be great for both players and spectators.