Schalk gives Boks balance
The veteran flank has evolved through his career from a tackle-hungry openside who hit every ruck to a ball-carrying blindside, and since his comeback from injury a playmaker who often takes the ball at first-receiver.
Meyer had previously preferred physically imposing blindsides like Willem Alberts who could get over the gainline easily but perhaps lacked in terms of work-rate, and he believes that the current loose trio of Burger, Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen are able to match the All Blacks in that regard.
"They [All Blacks] have probably got the best three loose forwards in the world apart from our guys and one thing is that they bring a lot of work-rate.
"In the past we had big ball-carriers, but our work-rate wasn't there. If you look at what Schalk did in the previous game his work-rate is immense, so he has been brilliant and it is probably the fittest he has been.
"Duane and Francois Louw are also back to their best and if you have two guys who can play on the ground that also helps," he said.
Meyer acknowledged that the battle between the loose forwards will be key in their World Cup semifinal at Twickenham on Saturday.
"It always starts in the tight five, but the battle of the loose forwards is going to be immense, they have got three of the best loose forwards in the world and I back ours to win any fight any day.
"Schalk brings that balance to us that before we didn't have, and a guy like Willem [Alberts] off the bench is amazing," he said.
The Bok coach paid special tribute to Burger, who is supremely laid-back off the field but certainly does not lack for intensity once he crosses those white lines.
"I still can't work him out, he is an amazing human being. If you look at what he has been through, for him to be alive is amazing so he just enjoys life.
"I am a little more uptight at times, and Fourie [Du Preez] as captain as well, he is more relaxed and I think you need that balance. He always has time for a joke, before we go into battle he is still smiling and I think he is not ready, but when he goes onto the field he is just a different human being.
"You need characters in the team and he is one of them, the way he came back really inspired the rest of the team.
"He won't mind if I say it, but if you speak to the guys about why they play rugby it is just to have a beer with his mates," he added.
