Cape Town - Schalk Burger is unlikely to start for Western Province in the Currie Cup final, even if skipper Deon Fourie is ruled out.
Fourie is a doubt for Saturday's clash against the Sharks at Newlands after taking a knock to the neck in their in their 33-16 semi-final win over the Golden Lions at the weekend.
WP coach Allister Coetzee said they will give the skipper as much time as possible to recover for the match.
Coetzee also said it's unlikely that he will start with Burger should Fourie fail to recover.
"I would like to think that Schalk is ready to start, but the balance we currently have in our loose forward combination is brilliant. It's good to bring Schalk on in the last 20 minutes to help Deon to safely steer the ship home," Coetzee told Die Burger's website.
Burger has played off the bench in WP's last four games since returning from 19 months on the sidelines, and while his experience is invaluable, Coetzee would like to keep him on the bench this Saturday.
"We have a few options. We can utilise Siya (Kolisi) as a No 6 flank and pick Rynhardt Elstadt in the starting team. Or (else) Schalla could start."
The final at Newlands kicks off at 17:30 on Saturday.
Fourie is a doubt for Saturday's clash against the Sharks at Newlands after taking a knock to the neck in their in their 33-16 semi-final win over the Golden Lions at the weekend.
WP coach Allister Coetzee said they will give the skipper as much time as possible to recover for the match.
Coetzee also said it's unlikely that he will start with Burger should Fourie fail to recover.
"I would like to think that Schalk is ready to start, but the balance we currently have in our loose forward combination is brilliant. It's good to bring Schalk on in the last 20 minutes to help Deon to safely steer the ship home," Coetzee told Die Burger's website.
Burger has played off the bench in WP's last four games since returning from 19 months on the sidelines, and while his experience is invaluable, Coetzee would like to keep him on the bench this Saturday.
"We have a few options. We can utilise Siya (Kolisi) as a No 6 flank and pick Rynhardt Elstadt in the starting team. Or (else) Schalla could start."
The final at Newlands kicks off at 17:30 on Saturday.