Burger: No quick-fix for Boks
Cynics may mock the team for the number of veterans in the squad, but one of those seasoned Springbok campaigners believe there is plenty of value in having experience.
Schalk Burger, 32 and on his way to his fourth World Cup, told a media briefing at South Africa's training base in Johannesburg that there is always an energy around the Springbok squad camp and they are looking forward to the international season.
It all starts with a warm-up match against a World XV in Cape Town next week, before the Rugby Championship gets underway.
With 78 days to the start of the global showpiece, the Boks have six matches to get their squad pulling in the same direction – as well as ensure some of their key players recover and regain form in time.
Despite the failure of South Africa's Super Rugby franchises, Burger believes the Boks have the ability to be a real force at the World Cup in September and October.
"There is no quick fix for experience and it is all about balance," he told a media scrum, adding: "In this team there is a lot of experience and good youngsters coming through.
"Let's hope we can get the balance right and most important is that we play well and enjoy it, and I think that is the big motto for this year."
Having been to three previous World Cups, Burger has experienced both the jubilation of victory (2007) and the bitter taste of an early exit (quarterfinals in 2003 and 2011).
He believes the class of 2015 will leave its own mark on the tournament.
"Every World Cup I have been involved with the preparation has been different," he said, adding: "Every team has a different motto and a different set of rules they adhere and work to.
"At the end of the day it boils down to the team that copes with the pressure the best.
"Obviously there are pressure in the pool stages. However, come knock-out stages – quarterfinal, semifinal and Final – the team that has the ability to play at the highest possible level under huge pressure is the team that wins it."
Asked if the high number of 'veterans' will give the Boks an edge wen it comes to the knock-out games, Burger said is also a factor.
"If you have experience and you are not playing good rugby it is also not going to help.
"It is a variety of factors, but I do think that having been there and done it gives you an edge.
"You learn from mistakes and the core group of the current crop have learned from a lot of mistakes over the years and they are wiser for it.
"We must first get there, get through the play-off games first – there's still a lot of rugby to be played.
"The biggest focus now is on the way we want to play and paying attention to detail.
"Going into the World XV game the focus is on the game we want to play and build some momentum."
With Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer poised to select only five loose forwards, Burger's advantage could be his versatility – being able to play all three back row positions.
However, he admitted competition is stiff.
"At loose forward it has been like this forever," he said, adding: "There are so many good players and you want to take all of them with.
"There are guys that deserve to be here [in the Bok squad] that are not here and they still have a chance to come in. At the end of the day only 31 players can go to the World Cup and you have to try and balance the squad out.
"All you can do as a player is to play well and hopefully get the nod from the selectors."
He said strong competition also drives players.
"It is a good thing for South African rugby if there is good competition. Yes, all of us still want to start games for the Springboks.
"However, I am at ease where they want to use me. We'll be pushing for a starting spot but if that doesn't happen … the World Cup is won by 31 blokes and often the guys that are not in the [matchday] 23 that sets the tone for the week.
"You try and make a positive contribution to the team – the standout feature of this group is we are good humans and we are pulling in the same direction."
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