Paris - South Africa flanker Schalk Burger will miss the three-Test series against England next month as he continues to recover from a knee injury, his team Stormers said Friday.
Burger has not played since he tore medial ligaments while captaining the Stormers on the opening weekend of the Super 15 season in February.
The 29-year-old had hoped to return for the opening Test against England on June 9 but, after missing the Stormers' recently-completed four-week tour, the club said they do not expect him to recover in time.
"Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Nick Koster (all knee injuries) are expected to return only after the June break," a statement on Western Province's website read.
Vermeulen's exclusion also comes as a blow to the Springboks after the No 8 enjoyed a good start to the season before also succumbing to a knee injury.
Burger was at the centre of controversy three years ago when he was banned for eight weeks after he was found guilty of eye gouging British and Irish Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald.
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YES, players leave our shores knowing the are still eligible for Bok selection, while diluting the standard of matches in SA. It has to be stopped
NO, even though NZ do it, we have to pick our best side and can't overlook those based abroad
View Results | Vote Archive
47% YES, players leave our shores knowing the are still eligible for Bok selection, while diluting the standard of matches in SA. It has to be stopped
53% NO, even though NZ do it, we have to pick our best side and can't overlook those based abroad
Vote Archive
With only three weeks before the winter tests and only six games left in the regular season of Super Rugby the push is on for the top six spots on the log, BayLion says.
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