Biography
Schalk Willem Petrus Burger Snr., born on October 6, 1955, in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, is a former South African rugby union player. Standing at 1.98 meters (6 ft 6 in) and weighing 109 kilograms (240 lb), Burger played as a lock. He is the father of Schalk Burger, a renowned Springbok loose-forward and captain.
Teams Played For and Years
- North Western Cape: 1974
- Western Province: 1977-1978, 1984-1987 (64 caps)
- Eastern Province: 1979-1983 (72 caps, 40 as captain)
International Caps
Schalk Burger Snr. earned 6 caps for the South African national team, the Springboks, from 1984 to 1986.
Most Important Moments in His Sports Career
- Western Province Schools Team: Represented the team at the Craven Week tournament in 1973.
- Provincial Debut: Made his senior provincial debut for North Western Cape in 1974.
- Springbok Debut: June 2, 1984, against England in Port Elizabeth.
- New Zealand Cavaliers Series: Played in all four test matches against the Cavaliers in 1986.
Early Life and Education
Schalk Burger Snr. was born in Cape Town and attended Paarl Gimnasium for his schooling. He represented Western Province schools rugby team at the Craven Week tournament in 1973. In 1975, he enrolled at Stellenbosch University for a BCom degree and played rugby for the Maties.
Playing Career
Burger’s senior rugby career began with North Western Cape in 1974. He then moved to Western Province in 1977 and played there until 1978. From 1979 to 1983, he played for Eastern Province, captaining the team in 40 of his 72 appearances. He returned to Western Province in 1984 and continued to contribute significantly to the team’s success.
International Career
- Springboks: Earned 6 caps from 1984 to 1986.
- Test Match Debut: Against England on June 2, 1984, in Port Elizabeth.
- New Zealand Cavaliers Series: Played in all four matches against the Cavaliers in 1986.
Test Match History
- England: June 2, 1984, Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth (Win 33–15)
- England: June 9, 1984, Ellis Park, Johannesburg (Win 35–9)
- New Zealand Cavaliers: May 10, 1986, Newlands, Cape Town (Win 21–15)
- New Zealand Cavaliers: May 17, 1986, Kings Park, Durban (Loss 18–19)
- New Zealand Cavaliers: May 24, 1986, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (Win 33–18)
- New Zealand Cavaliers: May 31, 1986, Ellis Park, Johannesburg (Win 24–10)
Personal Life
Schalk Burger Snr. is the father of Schalk Burger, who also became a prominent rugby player and captain of the Springboks. The Burger family has a strong rugby legacy, with both father and son achieving significant success in the sport.
Accolades
- SA Rugby Player of the Year Nominee: 1985, alongside Jannie Breedt, Gerrie Sonnekus, Danie Gerber, and the eventual winner Naas Botha.
Legacy and Contributions Schalk Burger Snr.’s career is remembered for his leadership and skill on the field, both at the provincial and international levels. His contributions to South African rugby have been significant, and his legacy continues through his son, Schalk Burger. Burger’s impact on the game is celebrated, and his achievements remain an inspiration to aspiring rugby players.