Ultimate Burger has the works

FOR young Springboks teammates and even for older coaches, it’s hard to reconcile the Schalk Burger who is so chilled out on the sidelines with the wrecking ball backrower he morphs into on the field.

The 32-year-old South African flanker, easily distinguishable for his flowing blond hair – albeit thinner now than in his 20s – and constant proximity to the ball, has been one of the best performers at the Rugby World Cup, despite his advancing age in rugby terms and the fact his career was almost derailed by life-threatening bacterial meningitis two years ago.

“The great thing about Schalk – I can’t work him out,” Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer said. “For him to just be alive is great, that why he’s so relaxed.

“He’s always smiling and I think he’s not ready (before a game), but when he goes on the field he’s like a different human being.”

Against the defending champion All Blacks in the semi-finals early on Sunday morning, Burger will come up against Richie McCaw, one of the greats of the modern game.

And the contest between the New Zealand and South African backrow combinations has Meyer excited.

“It’s going to be an unbelievable battle between the loose forwards,” Meyer said after announcing an unchanged starting line-up.

The only change to the 23man match squad to face the All Blacks was 38-year-old lock Victor Matfield returning to the bench after missing three games with a hamstring strain.

Burger has had more ball carries than anyone at the tournament and is third on the list of most tackles.