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Cape Town - Springbok loose forward Schalk Burger says he was a bit shocked by the pace at which the game is played in Japan.
Burger, 31, left Western Province earlier this year to play for Suntory Sungoliath.
In an interview with Beeld, Burger said living and playing in Japan has been quite an adaptation.
"You actually see nothing that looks familiar and you also can't read anything, because you don't understand what is written," said Burger.
But playing rugby has also been a different challenge for the 72-Test capped veteran.
"Their rugby is a lot different from what we're used to. The game over there poses a lot of different challenges. The pace at which games are decided is staggering. Your conditioning has to be good to be able to keep it up there.
"You run a lot more during a game there than what you're used to over here. If you tackle a guy over there, then it also has to be around his legs in order to stop him."
Burger is currently in Johannesburg with the Springbok squad preparing to face the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday (17:05 kick-off).
Burger, 31, left Western Province earlier this year to play for Suntory Sungoliath.
In an interview with Beeld, Burger said living and playing in Japan has been quite an adaptation.
"You actually see nothing that looks familiar and you also can't read anything, because you don't understand what is written," said Burger.
But playing rugby has also been a different challenge for the 72-Test capped veteran.
"Their rugby is a lot different from what we're used to. The game over there poses a lot of different challenges. The pace at which games are decided is staggering. Your conditioning has to be good to be able to keep it up there.
"You run a lot more during a game there than what you're used to over here. If you tackle a guy over there, then it also has to be around his legs in order to stop him."
Burger is currently in Johannesburg with the Springbok squad preparing to face the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday (17:05 kick-off).
