Davetheclarinet says...

What the hell was de Villiers trying to achieve with his ridiculous ramblings about ballet classes and tutus? Way to reinforce the Boks' stereotype as the thugs of world rugby - you fool.

Posted 15:38 04th July 2009

cornerflag says...

I also agree with what's been said here but I also think it's time to move on. He got punished, the fans have turned on him and rest assured, he won't have a happy time in his own head right now.

But remember the good times and success he brought to Springbok rugby. After the real thuggery era of Krige/Strauli we were suddenly blessed with new faces, the most prominent of which was this blond head terror of a boy with a wide grin on his face. It's fun to see Schalk play well...that's perhaps why it's so sad to see him mess up like this.

Is he really a thug? I don't think he's whole career warrants that tag.

I put my money on Schalk bouncing back as a controlled, senior team man with plenty of rugby to come!

Posted 11:03 03rd July 2009

Soop says...

Hmm...if I say I'm not a thief but I get caught stealing, what does that make me? If I say I'm not a liar but get caught lying, what does that make me?

Burger is a fantastic player but his comments belie the fact that you are not defined by your words, but rather your actions. This is not the first time that he does committed a thuggish act either.

I think he was very lucky to get such a short ban, and quite honestly I would rather play the Tri-Nations without him. He's a brilliant player, but he constantly concedes penalties and has been yellow-carded multiple time playing for the Boks.

I have lost respect for him because he has behaved in a selfish, childish and totally unprofessional manner. He should be ashamed of himself.

Time for Burger to clean up his act, because he needs the Boks more than they need him.

Posted 08:52 03rd July 2009

mixedup says...

All sports are games of fine margins. The higher up the ladder you go, the finer the lines become.Anyone who has played rugby (and a lot that have not) will know that games are not won and lost in the black and white but in the grey. Internationals are the masters of the grey - that area where you get the competitive edge through what you can get away with, what the referee is allowing to happen and what he does not see. (Eg: the 'super flat pass', hands in the ruck, the mysteries of the front row)

Also into this grey area comes the enforcers. Those physically imposing characters that both intimidate and keep the other side honest. Their role is to rattle and hurt (but not deliberately injure) the opposition. Some of the best known characters of the game fall into this category (Johnson; Shaw; Botha; Burger; Sharpe; Thorne; Mortlock; Collins, Jamie Roberts etc.) They play a game within a game. They are the cutting edge within the cutting edge and tend towards the dark side of grey.

Unfortunately, playing this close to the line leaves very little margin of error and often mistakes are made that are not intentional but often look/are really bad. I don't think that any player who is deliberately dirty and nasty can exist at the highest levels any more. The margins are too slim and the repercussions are too great for the individual and the team.

What happened with Burger? Is it in his character to impose and to hurt - Yes. And to deliberately injure? - No. Was it a heat of the moment thing? Was it just a bad mistake? I don't know but I do feel it is not in his character to deliberately injure and maim another player.

Posted 05:48 03rd July 2009

countryboy says...

He may think he is not a thug, but he is an idiot and I would prefer Brussouw in the team anyway. Burger hasn't been the same player since his neck injury.

Posted 23:43 02nd July 2009