Banned Burger - 'I'm no thug' SPORT SHORTS: RUGBY UNION.

SOUTH Africa South Africa, Afrikaans Suid-Afrika, officially Republic of South Africa, republic (2005 est. pop. 44,344,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. forward Schalk Burger

For other people named Schalk Burger, see Schalk Burger (disambiguation).

Schalk ("Schalla") Burger Jr. (born April 13 1983 in Port Elizabeth) is a South African rugby union player. has reacted to his eight-week suspension by insisting: "I am not a rugby thug."

Burger will miss tomorrow's Test series finale against the British and Irish Lions

For the Great Britain Lions rugby league football team of similar title, see Great Britain national rugby league team

The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British Isles Rugby Union Team or more colloquially the British Lions at Ellis Park after being cited for "making contact with the face in the eye area" of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald during last Saturday's second test.

He said: "As a proud South African and Springbok rugby player, I only have the utmost respect for the traditions of the wonderful game of rugby. Through my life and career I have always approached the game with the intention only of playing it hard and fair.

"I am not a rugby thug and will never intentionally engage in eyegouging or similar illegal actions."

COPYRIGHT 2009 MGN Ltd.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.

Reader Opinion

Article Details
Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Publication:	The Journal (Newcastle, England)
Date:	Jul 3, 2009
Words:	122
Previous Article:	Murray is warned - be prepared for the Roddick serve.
Next Article:	Good start for Rose; SPORT SHORTS: GOLF.
Topics:	Rugby football