Lions 2009 - Boks without Burger for first Test

Eurosport - Wed, 17 Jun 17:20:00 2009

Schalk Burger has failed to recover from a calf injury and will be replaced by Heinrich Brossouw in the South Africa team to face the British and Irish Lions in the first Test in Durban on Saturday.

Schalk Burger, South Africa PA PHOTOS - 0

Although Brussow, who won his first cap off the bench against England at Twickenham last year, impressed for the Cheetahs when they lost to 26-24 to the Lions, Springbok captain John Smit said he had been selected because of his performances throughout the season.

"He is very good at what he does," Smit said. "He has not been picked on one performance against the Lions.

"He has been picked on how much he has irritated every single team he has played against in the Super 14."

There were no major surprises in the South Africa team with fly-half and fullback being the only contentious positions.

Ruan Pienaar, the incumbent fly-half, holds on to his position despite missing a large part of the Super 14 season with injury while utility back Frans Steyn was named at fullback.

"Frans is a player that can carry the ball up well, he can take the high ball and he has a good kicking game," South Africa assistant coach Dick Muir said.

"It was a horses for courses decision. The way that we have seen the Lions play, we felt that Frans was the best candidate for that position."

Muir said Pienaar was feeling confident with his game.

"He is one of those players that, when he is confident, can really step it up and we have got all the confidence in the world in Ruan's abilities," he said.

Muir said that although no decision had been made on the designated goalkicker, he felt Pienaar would take the responsibility.

Smit said the Durban Test would set the tone for the rest of the three-match series.

"There is no point thinking about the three Tests in advance. As cliched as it sounds, the first Test will decide what direction the series takes," he said.

There is only one uncapped player in the South Africa 22 with Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn included on the bench.

Team: 15-Frans Steyn, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Adi Jacobs, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Ruan Pienaar, 9-Fourie du Preez; 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Heinrich Brussow, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Bakkies Botha, 3-John Smit (captain), 2-Bismarck du Plessis, 1-Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16-Gurthro Steenkamp, 17-Deon Carstens, 18-Andries Bekker, 19-Danie Rossouw, 20-Ricky Januarie, 21-Jaque Fourie, 22-Morne Steyn.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. lions need to put there bodies on the line cos thats­ what seperates the boks from the rest

    From michael, on Wed 17 Jun 9:30PM

  2. Dont worry, Stevegreydubai, the lions will be playing­ the best we have to offer. Burger has a great­ reputation, and that is what has kept him there lately.­ Pound for pound his replacement is better. Never­ fear, you will lose to the best possible team. Should­ be a corker.

    From stuart w, on Wed 17 Jun 11:38AM

  3. what is this site coming to when you cannot mention the­ positon of the number 2 as it gets blocked as­ inappropriate!! h**ker? will that do? Or shall we just­ call him a pros**tute? LOL

    From stuart w, on Wed 17 Jun 11:36AM

  4. Well as a South African I can happily say that Schalk­ is not playing. He has a reputaion but do not fear,­ his replacement is just as good! Match practise is my­ only concern. The lions have been doing well, should­ be an interesting game. Of course, I have to say that­ SA will win! The breakdowns are key and Schalks­ replacement is very good in that area. Our @#$%,­ Bismarck also needs to actually throw to his catchers,­ which he has not been doing lately. Sam Wilson

    From stuart w, on Wed 17 Jun 11:29AM

  5. When all said and done, we naturally want the Lions to­ win, but I would have preferred Burger there. If we­ win, we would like to win against the very best side­ that can be put on the field. Never mind, you can only­ try and beat what is put in front of you. Come On The­ Lions!!!!!!

    From stevegreydubai, on Wed 17 Jun 8:43AM

  6. Lions to win. At least without Schalk Burger there­ won't be any high tackles from the springboks.

    From Gregg B, on Tue 16 Jun 11:12PM

  7. i spy one or two players not playin in their best­ positions..
    Frans Steyn at fullback HAS to be targeted­ by our 10 and 15
    and Jacobs instead of Fourie??
    wow, a­ bit like playin gordon darcy instead of o'driscoll­ in my view
    Jean de Villiers cud be key to this game. if­ hes fit and in form (which he hasnt been since­ Novemeber) then he could be lethal

    From moggie2727, on Tue 16 Jun 5:08PM

  8. with a kiwi ref for Sat Martin Williams will have to­ play - they seem to allow McCaw to play offside with­ hands on the ball all season so hopefully the 2 no 7s­ can scrap for it themselves!!! b*gger was hoping Burger­ would be playing as we stood a much better chance with­ him playing half fit rather than a fully fit Broussouw­ - oh well roll on Sat i'll be there!!! off to the­ bookies to view the odds on it being 27-30 to the Lions­ (9 DGs by boks to 9 penalties by Stephen Jones/ Jsames­ Hook and a last min DG from BOD!!

    From MIKE, on Tue 16 Jun 1:34PM

  9. what a shame.. we're thinking of you shalk, but­ wont miss you too much, COME ON YOOOOOO­ LIONSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

    From martyn b, on Tue 16 Jun 12:55PM

  10. yeah its gonna be a great game...is that poll thing a­ joke,does o'connell merit a place in starting 15 on­ saturday like WTF?

    From bren, on Tue 16 Jun 12:55PM

  11. Now we have to play Martyn Williams, without question.

    From BigRich, on Tue 16 Jun 12:51PM

  12. Hasnt played well all season, might not have been­ selected. Makes no difference to Lions

    From Kevin 47, on Tue 16 Jun 12:50PM

  13. uh oh.... that is an awesome team..... roll on sat,­ c'mon u lions!!!!

    From daniflowers20, on Tue 16 Jun 12:43PM
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