Schalk Burger: Springboks could be in their ‘karma year’ which is ‘good’ for World Rugby

Legendary back-rower Schalk Burger has suggested that the Springboks’ one-point loss against Ireland was ‘karma’ for their Rugby World Cup triumph in 2023.

South Africa lifted the Webb Ellis Cup last year for a fourth time with a narrow 12-11 victory over the All Blacks in the final.

That followed one-point knockout successes over France (29-28) and England (16-15) as they showed incredible resolve to win yet another World Cup.

However, last weekend, it was the Boks who were on the wrong end of a tight loss as the Irishmen emerged 25-24 triumphant to level their series at 1-1.

Close at the top

As a result, it narrowed the gap at the top of the world rankings and once again opened the debate as to which side really is the best.

With that series proving that no team is currently the dominant outfit in rugby, Burger and his former Test team-mate Jean de Villiers believe that it is good for the sport.

“I think World Rugby is in a good place when we’re having these conversations,” the flanker said on the Boks Office podcast. “I think instead of having one team out in front, there are four teams we really think, ‘okay, on any day you can get that one over the line.’

“Maybe this year is our karma year where we start losing Test matches by one point.”

Burger’s one disappointment was that their series with Ireland did not extend into a third Test having rather frustratingly finished in a draw.

“What World Rugby has got to try and get right is the scheduling. This series deserved a decider,” he said.

De Villiers agrees and believes that the unsatisfactory nature of two-Test tours will force the governing body into a rethink.

“I think it will make World Rugby also think more about where we’re standing in terms of the product in between World Cup years,” the ex-captain said.

“I see longer tours coming back where there’s more interest and a build-up to the last Test match.”

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De Villiers ultimately does not think that there is much between South Africa and Ireland, with Ciaran Frawley’s winning drop-goal doing very little to settle the debate.

“I said in the World Cup as well when we played Ireland, I didn’t think any of those two teams, and in a way it’s the same here, are good enough to beat the other twice at a World Cup,” he said.

“Does a drop-kick define a team to be better or not? If he misses it, are we then saying we’re better because of one kick from one person?”

Four, possibly five, teams in the running

The Springboks remain at the top of the world rankings with Ireland and New Zealand not far behind as both sides reside above the 90-point mark.

France are a bit further behind but De Villiers insists that those four nations are on a relatively equal footing.

South Africa’s great centre also states that England could come into contention should they continue their improvement under Steve Borthwick.

“Can Ireland enter the debate to be the best team in the world? Yes they can. But South Africa is ranked number one in the world and they’re world champions,” he added.

“South Africa are also part of that debate, France can also be part of that debate and New Zealand can be part of that debate.

“And the way that England are going, in a couple of months’ time they will be saying they can be part of that debate as well. It’s a great position for World Rugby to be in. I think it’s a never ending debate.”

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