Rugby World Cup: South Africa set to appeal as World Cup authorities ban Burger

Sep 13 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

SOUTH AFRICA coach Jake White believes his squad can put the Schalk Burger saga to one side and maintain their concentration for tomorrow night’s crucial clash against England.

The Springboks are set to appeal flanker Burger’s four-match ban this morning. He was suspended after being cited for a dangerous tackle on Samoa scrum-half Junior Polu during last Sunday’s Pool A encounter in Paris.

As things stand, Burger will miss remaining pool appointments with England, Tonga and the United States, plus a potential quarter-final against Wales or Australia in Marseille.

White said: “We are not happy about the decision, we will appeal it.

“Of course I was shocked. You lose a player like Schalk Burger, you get told at one o’clock in the morning after the hearing, and it is not something that you take without being shocked about it.”

Regarding the appeal, White added: “We will concentrate on the rugby aspects, and the legal team will concentrate on the legal aspects.”