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Springboks to appeal against Burger ban
(Rugby News Service) Wednesday 12 September 2007
By Dylan McKinn
PARIS, 12 September – South Africa will appeal against Schalk Burger's four-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Samoa half back Junior Polu during their opening match at the Parc des Princes last Sunday.
As it stands, Burger will only be able to play again at the IRB Rugby World Cup should South Africa make the semi-finals.
The 24-year-old flanker, who was the 2004 IRB Player of the Year, is an integral part of the Springboks' plans to recapture the world cup they won in 1995.
The suspension comes as a double blow as centre Jean de Villiers was also ruled out earlier in the week with a torn bicep and has since returned home.
Coach Jake White was philosophical about the appeal, saying that if unsuccessful, he was confident the rest of the the squad would continue on their quest to regain the Webb Ellis Cup.
"There are certain players that played in the extended Tri-Nations away leg and I am very confident that those players can stand in," White said.
Burger's team-mate, veteran prop Os du Randt, said: "It is always bad to lose Schalk. I don't think you will ever substitute Schalk but we will just have to cope with that and do the best we can," said the 1995 world cup winner.
South Africa's legal team now have until 8am on Thursday to prepare their appeal.
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