News
Hometown boy ready for McCaw
August 15 2008
With rugby fans around the world rubbing their hands in anticipation of the breakdown battle between Schalk Burger and Richie McCaw in Saturday's Tri-Nations clash at Newlands, the Springboks openside flanker has said stopping the All Blacks skipper will be a team effort.
McCaw's influence in raising the All Blacks game, when returning from injury against Australia two weeks ago, was massive and Burger, a former IRB World Player of the Year, was looking forward to testing his mettle against his opposite number.
"It's one of the biggest challenges in rugby, playing against Richie," Burger told the press in Cape Town on Thursday.
"At the end of the day, all fifteen guys have to buy in and be competitive at the breakdown. It's not just down to me. It starts with the forward pack, but all fifteen guys have the responsibility to clean out well."
The blond flanker, who was sporting a new haircut, sat out South Africa's 63-9 demolition of Argentina in Johannesburg last weekend as a precautionary measure after recovering from a neck injury suffered in the Tri-Nations loss to Australia three weeks ago.
"I am not too sure that not having played much rugby this year is a blessing in disguise," said Burger, who is itching to get back on the pitch.
"I played a lot of rugby last year and obviously this year I haven't played much.
"So I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing. When you don't play a lot of rugby, you are not as comfortable sometimes, but I am feeling pretty confident for Saturday."
The Springboks scored 63 unanswered points against the Pumas after an error-riddled first half-an-hour the home side would rather forget.
Burger said there was no room for the same sort of mistakes against the All Blacks and South Africa would adopt a more conservative approach to this weekend's Test.
He added that with South Africa winning in Dunedin to level the scores against New Zealand this year, there was everything to play for in his home town.
"With the Boks having won in Dunedin, it has certainly added a bit of spice to the game. Both sides really want to win this match, so that is always good and it will be a proper contest," he said.
"Every game against the All Blacks is special and it is always special to be a part of big matches like this.
"There is a big build-up and great vibe around the game. So you just want to get out there and play some rugby.
"Big Test matches like this are always 50-50 and they will be tough to beat.
"They showed when they were under tremendous pressure against Australia and they managed to produce on the day.
"It is always great to play to a full house at Newlands. It is my home ground and it will be so much more special if we can pull off a win.
"Hopefully we can have a bit of luck and get a win."
The Springboks walked away 22-16 winners the last time the teams met in Cape Town, with Burger playing a key role that day in 2005.
In a battle royale at the breakdown, Burger duked it out with McCaw and Jerry Collins, who won't be around this time having hung up his Test boots in favour of French club rugby.
"I'm definitely not going to miss him [Collins] this year!" said Burger.
"That was a tough game [in 2005]. The All Black loose trio has still got some powerful runners, they're good players.
"But Jerry was one of a kind...he was a tough man," he added.