I read an interesting letter in The Times today that spoke about Schalk Burger, the Springbok with the tendency to be sent off in rugby matches.
I think it’s really interesting that SA supporters of the Springboks are so die hard. They are so die hard in fact, that whenever a Springbok does something stupid (like Schalk’ tackle in the Samoa game) we all defend him blindly. Regardless of the game and the broader impact.
Billionaire Johann Rupert felt so strongly about this that he used his clout to send British representation across to France in Schalk’s defence.
Now on a serious note, there were many decisions that were questionable in that game, why is it that we are focusing on one guy (Schalk) to make a fuss about. His tackle was high, he was wrong and it wasn’t the first time.
He has been sent off before and must, in some way be considered a liability. He has the scare factor that makes opponents drop the ball and run in the opposite direction when they see him coming. But his lack of discipline is surely detrimental to our team?
Pass Schalk, pass, that’s all I have to say.
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September 14th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Schalk is not dirty. Just very physical. There is no doubt that he is vital to the team. He is awesome on defense, like a wrecking ball on attack, offers an option in the line out, wins turn overs, lifts the team with his attitude.
Schalk does get blown more, but so does McCaw. Players with work rates as high as his are always going to concede penalties. Burger was born to play this game, and to consider him a liability does him no justice.
He makes mistakes, but is also singled out at times.
September 14th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Very good points, all of them. Some people even argue that thanks to his stature and blonde hair, he is targeted as the purpotrator even when it wasn’t him involved.
I agree that his work rate is high. Kinda like the good old Bullet – James Dalton – hot head, high work-rate, strong, physical but got sent off at a critical point for the Bokke. Not always a good thing I suppose.
September 17th, 2007 at 9:43 am
What the hell are you on about?! To say that Schalk has a lack of discipline and should be considered a liability is absolute bollocks. As Jake White once said, he is worth 3 or 4 players and it is because he is an asset to the team that there now is this fuss as you refer to it. I am yet to see some criticism of the high tackle by the Samoan on Andre Pretorius which nearly saw his head roll off… did you know that the judicial officer [Terry Willis] was an Australian and we may very well be playing Australia in the quarterfinals. Now what does that suggest?
September 17th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Hi Enrico,
Thanks for your comment. I am not stating anything specific at all. I was just trying to find out what the public’s impression of Schalk is after I read an interesting article. I think he is great, but it is undeniable that he is prone to getting blown up and he is prone to penalties. For whatever reason.
His workrate is phenomenal and his play at the breakdown is priceless but there are two sides to an argument and you can’t really deny that.
I must also be honest when I say that I truly doubt that any ref at the level of the World Cup would risk blowing any team unfairly on purpose. I think that is a bit of a bold and ludicrous.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:23 am
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!