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MONTPELLIER - Schalk Burger says he's raring to go after a frustrating three weeks on the sidelines missing out on the Rugby World Cup action with South Africa.
The former IRB Player of the Year is making his return for the Springboks in the unfamiliar role as No.8 for their final Group A match against the United States at Stade de la Mosson here on Sunday.
The South African flanker has been cooling his heels after serving a two-week ban for his illegal tackle on Samoan scrum-half Junior Poluleuligaga in the Springboks' 59-7 win in Paris on September 9.
Burger will release all his pent-up energy against the hapless American Eagles, who are backing up just four days after their 25-21 loss to Samoa in St. Etienne.
"It's been weird actually, it's been frustrating and I obviously missed the England and Tongan matches, but I'm back playing this week, so I can't wait until I get back on to the field," Burger told AFP here on Friday.
"I'm a terrible spectator. I've been doing a lot of sightseeing. I played three weeks ago so I'm raring to go."
The 24-year-old blond terror has been given the No.8 role as Danie Rossouw recovers from his serious head knock against Tonga last weekend.
"It's still important for us to have a good match against USA and get some momentum going into the quarter-finals," said Burger, who is playing at his second World Cup.
"It's a bit of a different challenge for me at No.8, I'm looking forward to that. Danie Rossouw picked up a bump last week so he can't play.
"It's actually pretty simple with the calls, I've picked it up pretty quickly and I just have to control the ball at the back of the scrum.
"I've played a couple of games at eight in the Super 14, but not in a Test match. In my first Test I came on at eight, but since then I have played as a flanker."
Coach Jake White said he was playing Burger at the back of the scrum as insurance for Rossouw.
"Schalk has played before at No.8 and there is an opportunity for him if Danie comes off the field in a quarter-final and we need to move someone to No.8 then at least we've played a guy there and he's done all the moves and the calls and he can run the same lines," White said.
"Little things that happen along the way in some ways have been quite good for us.
"If Schalk moves to No.8 in a Test match because Danie, say, has cut his eye and is taking stitches well then the moves can continue to be run the same way whether Dani was there or not."
- AFP
