Kerry-Exile
12th-June-2009, 10:11
Springboks sweating Burger injury
The Springboks look set to be without star flank Schalk Burger for
the first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Durban.
Burger has still not been able to fully participate in training since
injuring a calf muscle in the Super 14 nearly six weeks ago.
The Springbok management team have been unwilling to comment
on Burger's fitness or the possibility of a replacement being call-up.
Bulls utility forward Danie Rossouw has been running in Burger's
place since the squad reconvened and is his most likely replacement
as calls for the selection of Cheetahs fetcher extraordinaire Heinrich
Brussouw seemingly continue to fall on deaf ears.
Brussouw was a surprise omission for the Bok squad after initially
being named in the training group take took on a Namibain Invitation
XV. The Free State answered the selection snub with a stellar
performance at the breakdown against the touring Lions last
weekend.
Springbok skipper John Smit is well aware of Brussouw's ball-stealing
ability.
"As a Shark, I know all about what he can do. We have been reduced
to tears many times on a Sunday after visits to Bloemfontein," he
told the Pretoria News.
"He is only four and a half foot tall and born to steal ball a few inches
from the grass!" Smit joked.
The Emerging Boks have joined the Springboks in Durban as the
senior squad undergoes series of full-contact sessions. Brussouw is
not part of the Emerging Boks squad having already won a senior
cap, but is said to be in Durban.
Elsewhere in the line-up, Francois Steyn now seems to be the
forerunner for the vacant full-back berth after he ran in the position
at Thursday's practice. JP Pietersen had been mooted to start at
number fifteen but now looks set to continue on the right wing.
In the same session, Adi Jacobs was at outside centre with Ruan
Peinaar at fly-half.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_5376117,00.htm l
The Springboks look set to be without star flank Schalk Burger for
the first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Durban.
Burger has still not been able to fully participate in training since
injuring a calf muscle in the Super 14 nearly six weeks ago.
The Springbok management team have been unwilling to comment
on Burger's fitness or the possibility of a replacement being call-up.
Bulls utility forward Danie Rossouw has been running in Burger's
place since the squad reconvened and is his most likely replacement
as calls for the selection of Cheetahs fetcher extraordinaire Heinrich
Brussouw seemingly continue to fall on deaf ears.
Brussouw was a surprise omission for the Bok squad after initially
being named in the training group take took on a Namibain Invitation
XV. The Free State answered the selection snub with a stellar
performance at the breakdown against the touring Lions last
weekend.
Springbok skipper John Smit is well aware of Brussouw's ball-stealing
ability.
"As a Shark, I know all about what he can do. We have been reduced
to tears many times on a Sunday after visits to Bloemfontein," he
told the Pretoria News.
"He is only four and a half foot tall and born to steal ball a few inches
from the grass!" Smit joked.
The Emerging Boks have joined the Springboks in Durban as the
senior squad undergoes series of full-contact sessions. Brussouw is
not part of the Emerging Boks squad having already won a senior
cap, but is said to be in Durban.
Elsewhere in the line-up, Francois Steyn now seems to be the
forerunner for the vacant full-back berth after he ran in the position
at Thursday's practice. JP Pietersen had been mooted to start at
number fifteen but now looks set to continue on the right wing.
In the same session, Adi Jacobs was at outside centre with Ruan
Peinaar at fly-half.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_5376117,00.htm l