Burger bows out at Sarries

Namibian and Saracens warrior Jacques Burger (above) has decided to quit the game following Saracens’ 23-14 victory over Newcastle over the weekend.

It was an emotional afternoon at Allianz Park as Sarries fans said goodbye to flanker Burger following his last match before retirement.

The Namibian great bows out at 32 after a career which saw him forage and tackle like a demon and play the game hard, but fair. He played in three World Cups.

After leading Namibia as a youngster, Burger turned professional when he started out at Griquas, before earning himself a place at the Bulls, then standing out for his country with some courageous performances in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

He will now return to his farm back home in Namibia to enjoy his retirement from rugby.

“My body and face have finally had enough. They’ve been begging me to stop playing for a while now and the time has come. I’ve loved playing the game of rugby. I am blessed to have done so at a high level, ” said Burger in a statement.

“Big defeats, big victories, Cup Finals and three Rugby World Cups. I was obsessed with rugby, I lived for it and was willing to break for it.

“What sticks out for me? The sick feeling that consumes you before a big match. The hairs standing up on the back of your neck in pre-match talks, guys screaming at each other and the sound of a big collision between two players.

“I loved the emotions, the atmosphere, the camaraderie between players. All will live long in the memory.

“What I love about this game is that there’s no hiding. To play it you need to be brave, sometimes a bit brutal, but when you walk off you shake hands and act like kids again.

“But the most important thing I’ll take away from my career, and the thing I’m most grateful for, is the friends I’ve made while being on this journey. All the success means nothing if you can’t celebrate it with your buddies after the match.

“That first cold beer after you’ve put in a shift together is the best feeling around. Those memories will stick forever.” – ANA

I loved the emotions, the atmosphere, the camaraderie between players.

Jacques Burger Saracens flanker