Burger: Eight-week ban
South Africa forward Schalk Burger, who was suspended for eight weeks following an eye-gouging incident during the second Test against the British and Irish Lions last weekend, has insisted he is "not a rugby thug".
The flanker will miss Saturday's third and final Test against the Lions at Ellis Park after being banned for the incident, which came in the opening minute of the Springboks' 28-25 win in Pretoria last weekend.
Having only received a yellow card in the match, he was subsequently cited for eye-gouging but in the event found guilty of making contact with the face in the eye area of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald.
Despite the widespread condemnation Burger has since received, he has not publicly apologised to either Fitzgerald or the Lions for his actions.
However, he has now issued a statement to stress that it has always been his intention to play within the rules.
Burger said: "As a proud South African and Springbok rugby player, I only have the utmost respect for the traditions of the wonderful game of rugby.
"Through my life and career I have always approached the game with the intention only of playing it hard and fair.
"I am not a rugby thug and will never intentionally engage in eye-gouging or similar illegal actions. This was also the case in the second Test against the Lions.
"I am therefore grateful that the judicial officer confirmed my stance with his conclusion that there was no deliberate eye-gouging as charged by the citing official.
"I will always play the game as hard as possible within the rules.
"I apologise to my supporters and fellow team-mates for the fact that I have been absent for the first 10 minutes of the second Test. I look forward to returning with zest in due course."
Reckless
Canadian judicial officer Alan Hudson, who heard the Burger case, said he did not find the player's actions intentional, but he did believe them to be "clearly reckless".
Hudson added he was "unable to conclude" any eye-gouging on Burger's part, although he said contact with Fitzgerald's left eye could not be described as "insignificant".
In deciding on the length of ban - which was lower than many people expected - Hudson took into account Burger's previous disciplinary record, his character and the player's remorse.
Burger's suspension means that he will also be sidelined for South Africa's opening three Tri-Nations Tests this summer.
Comments
Davetheclarinet says...
All this talk of the Lions needing to justify their existence is b*llsh*t of the highest order. The Lions have been robbed of a possible series victory by some incompetent and lilly-livered officiating. The Boks have some world class players, but the Lions were their match, and with a fair referee, the third test would have been a series-decider. Until the Lions can travel south and be confident of competent officiating, then they are likely to be deprived of deserved victories.
Posted 16:15 04th July 2009
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
gavin444 says...
let's admit that Burger is a targeted man whether it be from journalists, referees, or the public. But boy does he add some spice to any test occasion!
He is not a thug, and I honestly don't think too many people genuinely think that. You don't get to this level by being a thug throughout your career!
I would say Mike Phillips is more of a thug than Burger, but the fairy boy doesn't quite have the skills to match his mouth.
Posted 12:49 03rd 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
tich says...
I agree wholeheartedly with the previous comments. Schalk has singlehandedly spoilt a thrilling Springbok servies victory in a epic test against very worthly opponents. He has been a liability for the Springbok cause, and I expect a fair number of Lions fans might have hoped for his reprieve as Brussouw is currently a much more effective and less risky player.
Posted 09:39 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
Sanzarian says...
I'm sorry Schalk, but why in heavens name was your hand and fingers even CLOSE to his eyes. Your behaviour embarrassed your fellow countrymen and even worse by SOME degree, you gave the whining bloody journalists so much fuel. To be completely honest, you have man alone in all probability tainted a otherwise beautiful Lions test series. Absolute fall from grace Mr. Burger, sort yourself out!
Posted 07:39 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
Casmo says...
Sorry Schalk...you were wrong....that's all
Posted 02:59 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