Cape Town – Western Province captain, Schalk Burger is relishing the opportunity to potentially lead his province to a major title for the first time in a decade.

Burger was one of the Springboks’ most consistent performers in New Zealand, hardly putting a foot wrong, but will have to pick himself up to transfer that sort of form onto the Currie Cup stage.

However, he admits that he is still experiencing flashbacks from the Springboks failed RWC defence in New Zealand.

“There are still one or two nightmares and sleepless nights that come up! But we try to put that down to the jet-lag even though we know it is not really the reason! It is still heartbreaking, but luckily we have a fantastic opportunity to play in a semi-final for WP,” Burger told Thursday’s Cape Times.

Province travel to Johannesburg to take on the Lions as the outsiders, as their Gauteng counterparts topped this season’s round robin standing, but Burger’s return to the starting line-up may level out the playing fields ever so slightly and with added motivation for WP to dismiss past ghosts, Burger believes that WP’s best is yet to come.

“It is still extra motivation to win the Currie Cup. We haven’t won many trophies and we’ve put ourselves into positions in the last three years where we could compete and this weekend isn’t much different. We will have to play well as the Lions are an outstanding team.”

Although the team from the Cape has put themselves in a position to win championships in recent seasons, they have no fruits to show for their labour.

“Some time, it has to go our way, but it won’t happen on its own. Perhaps we have to play our best game of the season to beat the Lions, so hopefully Lady Luck is on our side this time!”