Cape Town - It wasn’t the prize he wanted, but Springbok flank Schalk Burger was nevertheless proud to be included in the Rugby World Cup’s Dream Team.
Burger and lock Eben Etzebeth were the two Springboks included in the Dream Team announced following the tournament.
“It’s always nice to get some recognition for the effort you’ve put in,” Burger said via a video uploaded on the tournament’s official Facebook page.
The team was selected partly on statistics and scores while also taking into account the spirit in which the players played the game.
“It’s always nice, but at the end of the day it was about our team and we as the Springboks just won the bronze medal. And as South Africans, that’s probably not good enough. We would have like a silver or gold medal, but after the way we started against Japan, we’ll take a bronze. I’m immensely proud of this group and how far we came in this World Cup.”
While it’s unlikely to happen, Burger said he would like to have the opportunity to play for the RWC Dream Team.
“Hopefully we can get some decent opposition. I’d gladly fly over and play in it. It’s always nice when you get to play with some people you really admire. It’s similar to playing for the Barbarians, so hopefully we can schedule a game, it would be lovely.”
2015 RWC Dream Team:
15 Ayumu Goromaru (Japan), 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand), 13 Conrad Smith (New Zealand), 12 Matt Giteau (Australia), 11 Julian Savea (New Zealand), 10 Dan Carter (New Zealand), 9 Greig Laidlaw (Scotland), 8 David Pocock (Australia), 7 Schalk Burger (South Africa), 6 Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia), 5 Leone Nakarawa (Fiji), 4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 3 Ramiro Herrera (Argentina), 2 Stephen Moore (Australia), 1 Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)