Schalk Burger on the rampage

With the first B&I Lions test looming ominously closer and closer, we are moving into the battle of the loosies for Springbok selection. I have selected a whole host of videos for you to watch this week, just follow the links provided and make you own decissions on who you think should be there.

There have been some strong performers in the loose forward department during this year’s Super 14 competition. Most probably one of the biggest eyebrow raisers in this year’s Springbok squad selection was the omission of Heinrich Brussow, who was unarguably one of the best fetchers in the 2009 Super 14. One has to feel sorry for Brussow who also loses out on the chance to play in the Emerging Boks side due to their policy of only picking uncapped players. Although I do understand that is is the Emerging Springboks, maybe the name should be changed to include some players that just missed out on selection in a similar sense to that of the NZ Colts.

#6 Flank: One of the biggest names in Springbok rugby over the past few years is Schalk Burger. Burger has become a stalwart in the Springbok team since making his debut under the coaching farce of Rudolf Straeli and has walked into most Springbok sides since then. As a player he has always had his supporters and those apposed to him, labelling him as nothing more that a thug. For me Burger has always had a huge amount of energy on the field, making more than double the amount of tackles than anyone else in one season of Super rugby. With the uncanny ability to make a tackle, get to his feet, and tackle the next ball carrier, Burgers work rate around the park is phenomenal. Many pundits are saying that Burger doesn’t show the same levels of energy on the field in recent times, and although this may be true, I still feel he does enough to warrant selection. I do feel that Burger needs to work on his ball carrying abilities, and stop that whole ‘hop, skip and jump’ thing he does before going into contact.

Burger is my #6. PDV must be very confident in his ability, because although Russouw (I feel he is more of a backup lock at the moment), Spies or Kankowski can step into the flank berth, there isn”t a recognised backup.

#7 Flank: I really don’t think here will be too much argument here. Perhaps very unlucky not to be named player of the 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup, Juan Smith’s form has been solid throughout. Although often on the wrong side of a thrashing scoreline, the Cheetah’s captain always gives everything he’s got on the field.

Juan Smith is my #7

The battle for #8 has been one of the most closely contested of the season. With strong performances by both Ryan Kankowski and Pierre Spies, South Africa is sitting pretty with two of the best #8′s in the business at the moment. Pierre spies takes it in the end with Ryan Kankowski very hot on his heels. Perhaps Spies can be happy for the extended run in the Super14, with the Bulls winning the competition, allowing him a few extra weeks to seal his claim on the #8 jumper. I found this very dramatic video (more here and here) highlighting the machine that is Pierre Spies. Notice how explosive he is with the box jump test. Enjoy.

My choices: (starting/understudy)

6. Schalk Burger/(Heinrich Brussow should be here)

7. Juan Smith

8. Pierre Spies/Ryan Kankowski