South Africa flanker Schalk Burger has been cited for a dangerous tackle on Samoa scrum-half Junior Polu in their World Cup Pool A match on Sunday.

"The player and his team management have been informed and a hearing will be scheduled as soon as reasonably practicable," a statement said.

South Africa won their opening match 59-7 and will next face England on Friday.

England should discover today whether Phil Vickery and Jonny Wilkinson will be available for the encounter.

Captain Vickery's disciplinary hearing is set to take place in Paris after he was cited for kicking USA centre Paul Emerick during last Saturday's 28-10 victory.

England, meanwhile, have promised a fitness bulletin on fly-half star Wilkinson, who suffered an ankle ligament sprain during training last week.

Heach coach Brian Ashton plans to announce his starting line-up today.

If found guilty, then Vickery, who would have 48 hours in which to make an appeal and has said there was no malice intended in the challenge, could find himself sitting out the Springboks clash.

His availability for further pool games against Samoa and Tonga later this month would also be in doubt.

A four-week ban at the lower end of the scale is recommended under International Rugby Board regulations for kicking.

Vickery is set to appear before World Cup-appointed judicial officer Professor Lorne Crerar, with the England squad's legal representative Richard Smith QC accompanying him.

Sporting Life / Reuters