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08th Dec 2020

Springboks legend must have the greatest jersey swap collection in rugby

Patrick McCarry

Schalk Burger

“I always treasured those All Blacks jerseys, because they never used to just give them out willy-nilly.”

Springboks legend and former World Player of the Year, Schalk Burger joined hosts Ian Madigan and Eimear Considine on House of Rugby Ireland and delivered the goods in unabashed style.

Burger was renowned for never taking a backward step on the pitch, and it was likewise during his interview as he owned every mishap or sanction he picked up – with all those trophies and personal accolades – along the way. During his wide-ranging chat, Burger revealed what is surely the greatest Test match jersey swap collection in world rugby, including two from stone-wall New Zealand legends.

“The All Blacks would only give them out when there was mutual respect, and you would do the same as the Springboks. It is the greatest rivalry for us, as Springboks, and that goes back many years.”

LISTEN to the full Schalk Burger story (from 11:00 below) and hear what has happened to those precious swapped jerseys now:

Over the course of his 86-Test career, Burger would have faced off with world-class flankers such as Jerry Collins, Martin Corry, Jerome Kaino, Stephen Ferris, Thierry Dusatoir. Occasionally playing at openside, he had many battles with Richie McCaw too. That’s some selection of jerseys to have hanging in one’s wardrobe at home.

There’s lots more good stuff in the episode as Ian and Eimear look back on Ireland’s six-game return to Test rugby and Schalk opens up on his 16-year career at the very top.

  • The four Ireland players who most impressed Andy Farrell
  • Schalk growing up in South Africa as the son of a Springbok star
  • That epic 2009 Lions Series and Schalk’s eight-week ban after the Second Test
  • Mentoring Siya Kolisi and what it’s like to tackle Henry Tuilagi

WATCH THAT EPISODE HERE: 

SUBSCRIBE TO HOUSE OF RUGBY IRELAND: https://playpodca.st/house-of-rugby-ie

Season 3 has returned on JOE with Ian Madigan & Eimear Considine as hosts, and has already featured interviews with Brian O’Driscoll, Nigel Owens, Sean Cronin, Shane Williams, Mike Brown, CJ Stander, Ugo Monye, Sene Naoupu, Schalk Burger and Dan Leo.