Boks worried about Burger

2008-07-20 18:00

Perth - South Africa were left counting the cost of a bruising loss to Australia in their Tri-Nations Test at the Subiaco Oval here.

Unable to produce a try, the Springboks suffered a surprise 16-9 defeat at the hands of the Wallabies and emerged from the clash with fresh injury worries over star flanker Schalk Burger (neck) and speedy winger Bryan Habana (shoulder).

The Boks went into Saturday night's match without captain John Smit, whose Tri-Nations is over after groin surgery, and outside centre Adrian Jacobs (hamstring), and there were plenty of sore bodies on their bench by the final hooter.

Of the most concern were Burger, who left the field early in the second half, and Habana, who hurt his left shoulder as he attempted to dive across the line for a try late in the game.

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers said the pair would be assessed over the next few days, but the South Africans do have the luxury of almost a month to prepare for their next Tri-Nations match.

"We made two injury replacements," he said.

"Schalk has a neck injury at the moment and we are looking at it, so we can't comment on it.

"Bryan hurt his shoulder in the game.

"Tomorrow (Sunday) we will go through that and on Monday we will have a report on the injuries."

- AFP