Schalk Burger

Schalk Burger
Burger with South Africa in 2007
Full nameSchalk Willem Petrus Burger Jr.
Date of birth (1983-04-13) 13 April 1983
Place of birthPort Elizabeth, South Africa
Height193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight114 kg (251 lb; 17 st 13 lb)
SchoolPaarl Gimnasium
UniversityStellenbosch University
Notable relative(s)Schalk Burger (father)
Occupation(s)Rugby player
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose-forward
Current team Saracens
Youth career
2002 Western Province
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003–2014 Western Province 37 (35)
2004–2016 Stormers 123 (45)
2014–2016 Suntory Sungoliath 17 (25)
2016–2019 Saracens 52 (20)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003 South Africa U21 8 (20)
2003–2015 South Africa 86 (80)
2014–2015 Springbok XV 2 (0)
Medal record
Men's Rugby union
Representing  South Africa
Rugby World Cup
2007 FranceSquad
2015 EnglandSquad

Schalk Willem Petrus Burger Jr. (born 13 April 1983) is a South African former professional rugby union player. He played as a flanker for Saracens in the English Premiership and won 86 caps for South Africa.

He was a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning team, was twice named South African Rugby Player of the Year (in 2004 and 2011), and was named IRB Player of the Year in 2004, among other accolades. He also holds the record for the most appearances (84) and most tries scored (13) by a Springbok flanker. However, Burger's physical approach also resulted in him being shown a yellow card six times in international rugby, second only to Italy's Marco Bortolami (7 times) as of June 2014. Burger also suffered injuries, especially to his neck and knee, which sidelined him for considerable periods at a time. He also played four times for the Barbarians.