25/02/2008 22:37

Stephen Nell

Cape Town - The Stormers were on Monday night anxiously waiting to hear what punishment Springbok flank Schalk Burger faces, after being found guilty of "an act contrary to good sportsmanship" during Saturday's Super 14 clash against the Sharks.

Burger appeared before a Sanzar disciplinary committee at Newlands. Committee chairperson Jannie Lubbe is expected to announce Burger's punishment on Tuesday morning.

The Stormers' commercial manager and legal adviser Frikkie Erasmus, said: "It was a fair hearing and we just have to wait and see what the punishment will be."

The good news for the Stormers is that Burger wasn't found guilty of abusing the referee's assistant Willie Roos verbally or with hand gestures.

This means that Lubbe will not be bound to give Burger a minimum sentence of six weeks, as stated in the International Rugby Board's regulations. Lubbe thus has to use his discretion.

There is still a chance that Burger could be suspended for a week or more.

"It would be a huge setback if Schalk can't play. He is one of the world's best players," says Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus.