Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Praises pour in for fantastic Burger as he bows out

Home Sports Praises pour in for fantastic Burger as he bows out

Windhoek

The Welwitschias’ inspirational skipper Jacques Burger has been ruled out of Namibia’s final IRB World Cup Pool C match against Argentina on Sunday.
The uncompromising hippy look-alike flanker suffered a confirmed concussion nine minutes into the match against Georgia on Wednesday evening at Sandy Park in Exeter and will not be able to play against the Pumas in Leicester.
Coincidently, his absence signals a premature end to his illustrious international rugby career, whose tests résumé for his native land spanned over nine years, with 36 caps to his credit, which included three Rugby World Cup appearances in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
On Wednesday, Burger equalled Hugo Horn’s 11 Rugby World Cup appearances for his country. Before the team’s departure for Leicester yesterday, Burger reflected on his career.
“It was a huge disappointment that I could not complete last night’s (Wednesday) match and an even bigger disappointment that I will not be able to play on Sunday. I am very proud of my team and it is not the way that you would want to end an international career. But that’s the game of rugby for you.”
Sunday’s match against Argentina would have been his last for Namibia. “I was really hoping to finish my international career in style; the emotions were building up to the match on Sunday and to have it ended abruptly like this, after just ten minutes, is a bit of a setback. But I have no regrets, I have had a wonderful time playing for Namibia with my friends,” said Burger.
“A lot of people have asked me why I chose to play for Namibia. I am a proud Namibian. I grew up with a lot of the guys I am playing with now, and played with and against them at school. It was an honour for me to represent Namibia and I have never regretted it.”
The president of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) Bradley Basson paid tribute to Burger.
“Jacques’ contribution to Namibian rugby has been immense. He is an inspirational leader and a true ambassador for all Namibians. He is a role model to all Namibian sportsmen and women and many rugby players in our country aspire to be like him one day. We wish him well in his last season at Saracens, and hope that one day when he returns home we could involve him in Namibia rugby.”
The CEO of the Namibian Rugby Union, Sybrand de Beer, also joined the chorus in singing praises for captain fantastic. “Through the way Jacques played, he portrayed what being Namibian is all about, he is hardworking, honest, courageous and proud. I want to thank Jacques for his loyal service to the union and his teammates and wish him well for the next phase in his life.”
Namibia head coach Phil Davies said Burger epitomised professionalism and loyalty to his team. “In my career as coach I have worked with exceptional captains. Jacques is one of them, an inspirational captain who led from the front and a true leader on and off the field. Jacques has played a huge role in Namibia’s performances at this Rugby World Cup and has left a wonderful legacy on which future Namibian rugby players can build.”