South Africa’s Matfield & Coetzee may miss All Blacks test

Schalk Burger will captain South Africa against New Zealand in Johannesburg this weekend, coach Heyneke Meyer announced Tuesday.

Burger takes over from Matfield who has been ruled out of action in the short term after suffering a hamstring strain against Australia on Saturday.

The Springboks have called Flip van der Merwe (Merver) into their squad but are sweating over the fitness of Victor Matfield and Marcell Coetzee for their clash with New Zealand. “We’ll never accept defeat but I believe that we will take a lot from this match against a very experienced Wallaby team”, he admitted.

While Meyer may be unsettled by serious injuries to Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen; he was pleased to have van der Merwe make a U-turn on his decision to retire from global duty after signing for Clermont earlier this year.

Burger has captained the Stormers and Western Province with distinction and will become the tenth most-capped Springbok on Saturday, winning his 77th cap, moving level with lock forward Mark Andrews. “Flip has always put his body on the line for the Boks and it will be great to have him back in the fold”, Meyer said.

Team doctor Craig Roberts revealed in Johannesburg: “Both (Coetzee and Matfield) are doubtful to play this weekend, but luckily neither of them are in doubt to miss the Rugby World Cup”.

His father, Schalk (Snr), played six Tests for South Africa between 1984 and 1986.

“I’m a very proud man today, but at the same time I’m humbled by the faith the coach has shown in me, ” said Burger, who also has 108 Super Rugby caps for the Stormers to his name.

Australia managed tries from Adam Ashley-Cooper and Michael Hooper, while for the visitors Eben Etzebeth and Jesse Kriel, on his debut for the South Africans, both scored their first test tries for the Springboks, while Handre Pollard converted four kicks from five attempts, including two conversions and two penalties.

“It is still sinking in that I will actually captain my country”.