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Schalk's stats are scary

Cape Town - Schalk Burger's performance against Wales on Saturday won him the man-of-the-match award, though it appears to have received mixed reviews from the South African rugby public. 

Burger's astonishing 26 carries against the Welsh saw him make 55 metres, and there were calls for others - Duane Vermeulen, Eben Etzebeth among the obvious options - to take more crash ball. 

But in Burger the Boks have a comfort that their forward ball will be quickly recycled and well protected. It's not all about the metres with Burger, but the ball retention and boundless energy. 

A look at the statistics on the tournament's official page make for some scary reading. 

It is no surprise to find Burger leading the way in terms of carries, but how far he finds himself ahead highlights his worth to the Bok cause. 

Japan's Michael Leitch is in second place - a whopping 20 carries behind Burger. 

In terms of carries over the gain line, Burger is second to Leitch. 

But the Bok veteran's work on defence is also remarkable, and he finds himself among the leaders in terms of tackles made. 

Scotland's Jonny Gray tops that lists, but Burger and Bok lock Lood de Jager are not far behind.

Most carries

80 - Schalk Burger (South Africa)

60 - Michael Leitch (Japan)

57 - Samu Manoa (USA)

56 - Ben Smith (NZ)

49 - Catalin Fercu (Romania), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

Most carries over gain line

36 - Michael Leitch (Japan)

35 - Schalk Burger (South Africa)

29 - Sean O'Brien (Ireland)

27 - Ciaran Hearn (Canada)

26 - Samu Manoa (USA)

Most tackles

67 - Jonny Gray (Scotland)

60 - Lood de Jager (South Africa)

55 - Schalk Burger (South Africa), Dan Lydiate (Wales), Richie Gray (Scotland), Thierry Dusatoir (France)

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