Sore thumb to sideline Burger

Cape Town - South Africa flanker Schalk Burger has dislocated his thumb and damaged ligaments in his right hand weeks before the Tri-Nations and two months out from the Rugby World Cup.

Burger sustained the injury in the first half of the Stormers' 29-10 Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Crusaders on Saturday.

The Stormers confirmed the injury and said Burger will undergo a scan to assess the extent of the injury on Monday.

But it is believed that Burger could be ruled out for between six and eight weeks.

Burger was hurt early on at Newlands but played through until halftime. He didn't come out for the second half.

South Africa will pick their squad for the away leg of the Tri-Nations next weekend, and open the tournament against Australia in Sydney on July 23.

The Boks begin their World Cup title defense on Sept. 11.