Burger back as Boks stay on track

SCHALK BURGER has been recalled to the South Africa squad for the next stage of their Tri-Nations campaign, following the eight-week ban he picked up during the British and Irish Lions tour of the country.

Burger’s ban will expire before the Springboks’ next game against Australia in Perth on August 29.

The Western Province star was found guilty of making contact with the eye area of Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald in June. He must now hope to dislodge Heinrich Brussow, who has impressed since replacing Burger in the team.

The Boks swept past Australia 29-17 in Cape Town to follow on from back-to-back wins over New Zealand in the previous two weeks.

It was another dominant display from the world champions, who were led by Morné Steyn’s 24-point haul, and they now head the table with a maximum 12 points from their opening three games, eight more than the All Blacks, with the Wallabies stuck on one.

Coach Peter de Villiers said: “As a coach you can never be satisfied, and you’ll always go for better. But it’s working well at the moment.”

Australia coach Robbie Deans lamented his side’s yellow-card count – Matt Giteau, Richard Brown and George Smith all spent time in the bin – a factor he said was key in the final outcome.

Meanwhile, the South African Rugby Union will today answer charges of alleged misconduct at a hearing in Dublin.

SARU were charged by the International Rugby Board after the Springboks wore ’Justice’ armbands for the third Test against the British and Irish Lions on July 4, in protest at Bakkies Botha’s two-week suspension.

Lock Botha was found guilty of a dangerous charge on Adam Jones during the second Test in Pretoria.

Botha failed in an attempt to overturn the ban – he had failed to bind onto a team-mate before cleaning out the ruck – sparking the Springboks’ protest at Ellis Park.

The independent disciplinary committee will feature two legal experts in Retired Honourable Justice John Hansen (New Zealand) and Judge Guillermo Tragant (Argentina), plus former Australia captain John Eales.

Elsewhere, Daniel Carter says he cannot wait to return to the New Zealand squad but may not be rushed back for the must-win Tri-Nations Test against Australia in two weeks’ time.

Carter scored all his Canterbury side’s points in their 22-16 Air New Zealand Cup win against Auckland on Saturday but revealed he had not been asked to attend the All Blacks’ training camp in Auckland on Wednesday.

“If I’m not in that camp it would be quite tough coming in for that Test match,” he admitted. “I’ll just do as I’m told and train where I have to.”

Carter acknowledges that his desire to return to the international arena is tempered by a lack of game-time following his return from a ruptured achilles tendon.

“It’s a tough one because I’m out playing and I feel comfortable. Obviously I haven’t got that many games under the belt, but I’m keen and ready to go. Hopefully I’ll have a chat with the All Black coaches this week and see what they’re after.”