Springbok vice-captain Schalk Burger will miss the Test against the Italy this weekend due to an ankle injure.
Burger, who was the main feature at the Thursday media conference earlier on, underwent a fitness test on Thursday afternoon on the ankle, which he rolled against the French last weekend in Cape Town, and was not deemed fit to play in the game.
“The Springbok medical team advised that Burger be withdrawn as there remained a risk of further injury,” a team media statement said.
Burger’s place will be taken by impressive Stormers flanker Francois Louw, who excelled against France and Wales for the Springboks this season.
But while Burger’s loss is offset by Louw’s exhuberance, it has also robbed coach Peter de Villiers of the chance of seeing Dewald Potgieter slot into the loose trio with Pierre Spies and Burger, something De Villiers gave as a main reason for selecting the loose trio.
Schalk Burger has recovered from the injury that kept him out of the match against Western Force and will lead the Stormers in their final Neo Africa Tri-Series match against the Sharks at Newlands on Friday.
The Springbok flank was out of action last week with a haemotomae on his calf and had to undergo a fitness test at the Western Province High Performance Centre on Wednesday morning before being cleared to play.
“I came through the test okay and I am looking forward to captaining the team for the first time this season,” said Burger.
“It was a bit frustrating sitting out last week. I have been on the sidelines a lot in the past year, with suspensions and injuries, and didn’t want to have another week’s break. As I have not been playing that much, I suppose you could say that I am fresher now than I have been before some new seasons.”
It was Currie Cup Semi final day last year in South Africa, as the Sharks hosted the Cheetahs in Durban, and the Bulls travelled to Cape Town to challenge Western Province.
The Bulls won 21-19, thanks to a late Morne Steyn penalty. But do you remember that infamous tackle on Fourie du Preez by Schalk Burger?
The Stormers skipper Schalk Burger will not partake in the Neo Africa Tri-Series match against the Western Force on Saturday.
The big flanker bruised a quad in training last week, and as he was unable to take full part in the Stormers practice sessions this week. Coach Allister Coetzee has decided it would be wise to leave him out of his plans for this weekend.
The Western Force game is the first match in a pre-season warm-up tournament also featuring the Sharks, who face the Force at Newlands on Tuesday night before ending off against the Stormers at the same venue next Friday.
“Schalk is very disappointed that he cannot play as he has been appointed captain and was eager to lead the team in the first match of the new season,” said Coetzee.
According to Stormers senior coach Rassie Erasmus, Springbok flanker Schalk Burger will captain the Western Cape Super 14 franchise the Stormers in 2010.
Addressing a media gathering at Newlands on Tuesday, Erasmus revealed that Burger is the “front runner” to taker over from Jean de Villiers as Stormers skipper – with the Bok midfielder having joined up with Irish province Munster.
With Luke Watson, who took over as Currie Cup captain while the Boks were on international duty, having joined up with English club Bath, nit left a vacancy at both No.8 and in the captaincy department.
“Schalk [Burger] is the front runner,” Erasmus said.
Juan Smith did not partake in the Springbok training on Friday, which means that Schalk Burger will probably wear the no. 7 jersey against Wallabies in Perth next Saturday.
The Boks open the away leg of their Vodacom Tri-Nations campaign against the Wallabies at Subiaco Oval next Saturday, and coach Peter de Villiers has confirmed that Smith, who was in excellent form during the home leg of the Tri-Nations and is rated by many as the top blindside flanker in the world, is a doubtful starter.
“We will make a decision on whether Juan will play against Australia once we get to Perth on Tuesday,” said De Villiers at a press conference in Pretoria on Friday.
But observers at the training session said Smith looks most unlikely to play at this stage as he is not moving easily, and Burger looks set to come straight into his place as per the configurations at what was a physical contact session.
The Stormers and Springbok flanker Schalk Burger have turned down a offer from Saracens in England and won’t join the exodus of South African players to Europe.
I am with the Stormers until the end of the year. I want to play my rugby here. There are big tests coming up against the British and Irish Lions, as well as a Tri-Nations, said Burger.
I would like to play in South Africa and for the Springboks for as long as possible. If I want to do that, I probably cant go overseas.
Saracens were planning a loan agreement with Burger for ten games during the Currie Cup. It is believed that Stormers captainJean de Villiers was also in their sights.
Brendan Venter, who is currently working as a defence consultant for the Stormers, will assume the role of director of rugby at Saracens in July.
It was reported on Wednesday that the English club had decided not to renew the contracts of 15 players, including former All Black lock Chris Jack.
Saracens reportedly want to replace them all with South Africans, but that is not entirely accurate. However, a handful of South Africans are in Saracens sights.
Loose forward Justin Melck has already joined, while a source told Die Burger that Stormers hooker Schalk Brits has already signed for the club. Brits can effect an escape clause in his contract after the Super 14.
It has been reliably learned that offers are also on the table for the Lions duo of hooker Ethienne Reynecke and lock Anton van Zyl.
Springbok vice-captain Schalk Burger will miss the Test against the Italy this weekend due to an ankle injure.
Schalk Burger has recovered from the injury that kept him out of the match against Western Force and will lead the 
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Juan Smith did not partake in the 
