Schalk: The Movie

23 April 2015 - 02:10 By Archie Henderson

If Schalk Burger were a movie he'd have more sequels than Star Wars. In the original episode, in which he emerges as a young talent, there is an endearing moment when he completes a game for Western Province's under-21s and, still in his muddied blue-and-white stripes, muscles his way into a team photograph of the blazered under-19s being snapped on the side of the Newlands pitch. In that season he represented both.What follows is heavy with drama, tension and conflict: he survives a harsh red card from André Watson, wins a surprise selection to the Springbok World Cup squad in 2003 and is forced by arch-villain Adriaan Heijns to fight one of his own in the sordid Kamp Staaldraad.But greater adversity awaits. A serious neck injury has people talking about his career in the past tense. Again Burger prevails and in 2011 he is named South Africa's rugby player of the year.If that seems like a happy ending, the scriptwriters have more in store. Injuries to knee ligaments in early 2012 stall a Super 15 campaign. Doctors are conservative and avoid operating, but three months later a knee cap pops out and the knife becomes inevitable. An entire year of rugby is lost.Still he does not despair, and those around him also keep the faith.He is named captain of the Stormers for 2013. Eager to make up for lost time, he plunges into the new season with pent-up enthusiasm, but a hamstring delays his ascendancy to leadership.Even greater danger lurks: a cyst is discovered on his spine and doctors must decide whether to drain it or cut it out, with the dangers of paralysis if the delicate operation goes wrong.As if that were not enough, Burger develops acute meningitis, which is not just career-threatening, it's life-threatening. Rumours begin to spread that Schalk is close to death; a statement of his demise is even considered.Once again our hero pulls through, even though he appears gaunt and frail when we see him next. Another year is lost. Will he ever play again? Damn right he will.But, after missing two years of rugby, there are adjustments to be made. The ferocity of Arnold Schwarzenegger has given way to the nuance of George Clooney.Instead of charging Terminator-like at opponents there are now subtle offloads."Schalk Burger has become Bobby Skinstad," observes The Times rugby correspondent Craig Ray.This latest resurrection was adjudged the "comeback of the year", winning a Lazarus award, handed out at a jamboree in Shanghai, China.The contrived event reduced Burger's real-life triumph over genuine adversity, to a "best supporting role with a disability".The real recognition will come on Saturday, when Schalk will be welcomed home by his adoring Newlands fans. The players can also show their appreciation of a great matador by slaying the Bulls...

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