Schalk Burger Snr

Schalk Burger Senior, a first generation rugby hard-hitter, helped set the tone for the physical nature Springbok rugby is known for today.

The retired Springbok was born in Cape Town on 6 October 1955. He attended Paarl Gymnasium, a public school renowned for producing Springbok rugby players, the earliest of which dates back to the early 1900s.

Rugby would not receive its professional status for many years to come, but that did not stop Schalk Burger Senior from pursuing a career in the hoolingan’s game played by gentlemen.

As soon as he got an opportunity, he ran out onto the pitch, representing Western Province during the Craven Week tournament in 1973 when he was 18 years old.

A year later he would make his senior debut for the North Western Cape (now known as the Griquas).

The first generation forward would go on to study at the University of Stellenbosch and represent them on the pitch. He spent one more year in the Western Cape, playing for the provincial side before trying his hand at a different local franchise.

Eastern Province was where Schalk Burger Senior set his sights and he stayed there for four years, making 72 appearances as a lock for the franchise. More than 40 of his games saw him leading out the team as captain.

Those who knew Schalk Burger Senior spoke of his vast conversational prowess in topics ranging beyond the pitch. This key in communication is what gave him an edge as captain when leading his forces onto the field, and bringing them together in the locker room.

In 1984, the experienced lock decided to return to his home province. He spent three more years playing for Western Province.

His move back home coincided with his first Test fixture for South Africa. Because of the Apartheid regime, South Africa was excluded from most international Test matches.

He did, however, manage to earn six caps for the Springboks during his tenure in the green and gold. His only loss during that time was against the touring New Zealand Cavaliers, the unofficial New Zealand side.

Much of what the former Springbok represented on the field stands today as a brand of South African rugby. While South African rugby has suffered many hardships in its early years, the effects of legends like Schalk Burger Senior echo through time.