THE likelihood that Springbok flank and former world player of the year Schalk Burger will return to top-flight rugby suffered another setback after he underwent more surgery yesterday.
It was Burger’s third operation in the past two months.
His ordeal began with surgery on a nerve in his back that was affecting a calf muscle, a problem stemming from a knee injury sustained last year.
Following a procedure in March to drain fluid from a cyst, Burger contracted bacterial meningitis. It was life- threatening and left his playing future in doubt. This latest operation won’t have brightened the outlook for a full return to his former greatness.
“Schalk has had a tough time, but he has been recovering well and has been in better spirits of late,” Craig Livingstone, Burger’s agent said . “Schalk returned to hospital to have the wound drained and cleaned up and he will return home when the doctors are happy that he is well enough ,” said Livingstone.
“It is not known at this stage when Schalk will be fit to return to training.”
Because of uncertainty surrounding Burger’s career he wasn’t awarded a Springbok contract last month, although it’s understood Bok coach Heyneke Meyer is a huge admirer.
The 30-year-old Burger was an influential member of the Bok team that won the 2007 World Cup and the 2004 and 2009 Tri- Nations titles. Burger hasn’t played a match since the opening weekend of the 2012 Super Rugby season.
He injured his knee during the game against the Hurricanes at Newlands, and, after an unsuccessful first surgery and a 12-week rehabilitation process, he underwent a second surgery.
“The kneecap was unstable and there was nothing much holding it in place,” Burger said in February. “After the first op I was fine running straight lines but the minute I stopped or turned the kneecap dislocated again.”
While Burger is sadly fighting a battle to resuscitate his career, he is at least well covered financially.
Western Province, who hold Burger’s current provincial contract, have a good track record in honouring the payments of injured players and are still paying him.
He also holds several lucrative endorsements.
According to the South African Rugby Players’ Association Burger also has an expensive disability policy that will appropriately compensate him if he is unable to play professional rugby again, although that will only be activated if he is forced to retire as a result of his injuries.
Another op puts Schalk’s return on hold again
It was Burger’s third operation in the past two months.
His ordeal began with surgery on a nerve in his back that was affecting a calf muscle, a problem stemming from a knee injury sustained last year.
Following a procedure in March to drain fluid from a cyst, Burger contracted bacterial meningitis. It was life- threatening and left his playing future in doubt. This latest operation won’t have brightened the outlook for a full return to his former greatness.
“Schalk has had a tough time, but he has been recovering well and has been in better spirits of late,” Craig Livingstone, Burger’s agent said . “Schalk returned to hospital to have the wound drained and cleaned up and he will return home when the doctors are happy that he is well enough ,” said Livingstone.
“It is not known at this stage when Schalk will be fit to return to training.”
Because of uncertainty surrounding Burger’s career he wasn’t awarded a Springbok contract last month, although it’s understood Bok coach Heyneke Meyer is a huge admirer.
The 30-year-old Burger was an influential member of the Bok team that won the 2007 World Cup and the 2004 and 2009 Tri- Nations titles. Burger hasn’t played a match since the opening weekend of the 2012 Super Rugby season.
He injured his knee during the game against the Hurricanes at Newlands, and, after an unsuccessful first surgery and a 12-week rehabilitation process, he underwent a second surgery.
“The kneecap was unstable and there was nothing much holding it in place,” Burger said in February. “After the first op I was fine running straight lines but the minute I stopped or turned the kneecap dislocated again.”
While Burger is sadly fighting a battle to resuscitate his career, he is at least well covered financially.
Western Province, who hold Burger’s current provincial contract, have a good track record in honouring the payments of injured players and are still paying him.
He also holds several lucrative endorsements.
According to the South African Rugby Players’ Association Burger also has an expensive disability policy that will appropriately compensate him if he is unable to play professional rugby again, although that will only be activated if he is forced to retire as a result of his injuries.
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