Burger fetching the Bulls
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Schalk Burger is once again displaying his skills as a utility loose forward, as he is set to start in the No.6 jersey for the Stormers – in their Super Rugby Round 11 encounter with the Bulls at Newlands on Saturday.
Burger played a role on the blindside of the scrum against the Western Force in Perth last week. And against the Waratahs two weeks ago he was on the openside.
He will have to adjust his style of play yet again for this encounter.
However, the Springbok flank does not see it as a major hurdle.
"I've been bouncing around a bit. I did it [played No.6] against the Waratahs a couple of weeks ago, so it is not such a big shift," Burger said in a press conference at Newlands on Thursday.
"Obviously in general play, play-making will still be part of my game.
"But in more structured play where their [the Bulls] defence is quite good, I think we will have to play towards the ball more."
Burger, who is in sublime form for the Stormers, will start alongside fellow Springboks Siya Kolisi and Duane Vermuelen in the loose trio and he believes the Cape outfit is in a fortunate position regarding the diverse capabilities their loose forwards possess.
"Its pretty much horses for courses. We have got good loose forwards, four Springboks, so Its a nice position to be in," he added."We have options and can mix and match as we please. Everyone fill in where they have to and this week we have gone with me at No.6."
Burger will go head-to-head with Bulls fetcher Deon Stegmann, which should prove to be a thrilling match-up.
Stegmann had an outstanding game against the Sharks in Round 10 – making 13 tackles and winning an impressive four turnovers, all in 56 minutes on the park.
Commenting on Stegman's play, Burger said: "He [Stegmann] is a massive asset for the Bulls, so if we can keep him quiet on the weekend it will be good for us."
Burger will have his work cut-out for him at the breakdown against a Springbok-riddled Bulls pack.
However, he feels the duty is not solely on him, but rather a collective effort from the Stormers' forwards.
"We will have to play towards the ball a bit more, but the onus is on all of us [loose forwards]."
The Bulls will be high on confidence after two successful rounds of Super Rugby, including the scalp of the Sharks away at Kings Park.
The veteran Bok said the Stormers will need to stick to their guns against the Bulls and play the style that has guided them to sixth place on the standings.
"Its important for us to not fall into the trap of playing like the Bulls, we need to concentrate on our own game and not playing the opposition," Burger added.
The north-south derby will be much anticipated with the winner deciding who will be top of the SA conference leading into to Round 12 of Super Rugby.
Aside from the result, there will be more to play for on the day, as Burger believes the players will view this as a "Springbok trial game."
By Andrew Duncan
@andrewslamdunc
@rugby365.com
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