04-08-2005, 10:19 AM
Schalk Burger has served his sentence for his sin-binning in South Africa's Mandela Challenge match against Australia.
The fiery blond Western Province flank was on Wednesday restored to the starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations match against the All Blacks at Newlands.
"Schalk made a huge impact off the bench last week. He will start on Saturday," said coach Jake White on Wednesday as he announced his team at a press conference in Cape Town.
"We've got three very difficult Test matches coming up - against the All Blacks on Saturday, Australia in Perth and then again New Zealand in Dunedin. He'll play a big part in all three of those tests."
'We've got three very difficult Test matches coming up'
Burger got a yellow card for a stiff arm on Wallaby flank Rocky Elsom when he came off the bench in South Africa's 33-20 win at Ellis Park.
He was expected to be restored to the starting line-up for last week's 22-16 win at Loftus, but White expressed concern about his lack of discipline and kept him on the bench.
"We talk to him a lot," said White. "Like I've said before, he's a youngster.
"It's part of coaching. I suppose that's why it's called 'coaching'. You coach players to improve. He's seen now that we get results whether he's on the bench or not."
The absence of a player in Burger's mould was nevertheless missed last week, and his battle with All Black star Richie McCaw this weekend could be pivotal to the result.
"Schalk wasn't picked as the IRB player of 2004 without good reason. He's an important asset to our team," said White
The fiery blond Western Province flank was on Wednesday restored to the starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations match against the All Blacks at Newlands.
"Schalk made a huge impact off the bench last week. He will start on Saturday," said coach Jake White on Wednesday as he announced his team at a press conference in Cape Town.
"We've got three very difficult Test matches coming up - against the All Blacks on Saturday, Australia in Perth and then again New Zealand in Dunedin. He'll play a big part in all three of those tests."
'We've got three very difficult Test matches coming up'
Burger got a yellow card for a stiff arm on Wallaby flank Rocky Elsom when he came off the bench in South Africa's 33-20 win at Ellis Park.
He was expected to be restored to the starting line-up for last week's 22-16 win at Loftus, but White expressed concern about his lack of discipline and kept him on the bench.
"We talk to him a lot," said White. "Like I've said before, he's a youngster.
"It's part of coaching. I suppose that's why it's called 'coaching'. You coach players to improve. He's seen now that we get results whether he's on the bench or not."
The absence of a player in Burger's mould was nevertheless missed last week, and his battle with All Black star Richie McCaw this weekend could be pivotal to the result.
"Schalk wasn't picked as the IRB player of 2004 without good reason. He's an important asset to our team," said White