NZ v Barbarians - The young pretenders

Springbok team-mates say the fires which drive Schalk Burger would make him chase a plastic bag if it blew across a training field.

Of anyone arriving in the test arena in recent times, Burger has made the most marked impression with his vitality, energy and devotion to the Springbok cause.

Those ingredients earned him the IRB player of the year award and a place in the Barbarians side to play the All Blacks on Sunday at Twickenham.

The 21-year-old with the shock of blond hair and equal components of skill, daring and venom is the latest pinup boy in South Africa after the derailing of Bobby Skinstad.

Fellow looseforward AJ Venter, 10 years Burger's senior, has been so revitalised by the youngster and the Springboks Tri-Nations' success that he has signed on for a further two-year deal with the Sharks.

"This Barbarians game was supposed to be my last match, I was going to retire but this guy [Burger] has taught me so much about attitude. He has no limits, he has pushed me and taught me things I did not know.

"His play is incredible and he is a good guy off the field, very spirited with good humour and there is so much potential left in the guy it is frightening."

Burger said Skinstad lost his edge because of his business interests.

So did similar pitfalls face Burger?

"With this guy I think it will entirely depend on how they look after him," said Venter. "If they play him in 37 games a year he will be finished by the time he is 25."

Look at Burger and you get some comprehension of why he is so damaging. He is much taller than Venter, he is very light on his feet while his upper body is very solid for the arm-wrestles at the breakdown.

The Barbarians asked coach Jake White if he would release Burger from the Springboks' final season leg in Argentina and the request was granted.

"Luckily he did and it is unbelievable," the grateful Burger said.

As a 21-year-old flanker Burger has achieved an honour his father failed to do in a solid locking career with the Springboks although Schalk snr did play for a World XV.

While Burger has earned a cabinet full of trophies in his short career he seems very composed about his achievements.

"Yeah I have had a bit of everything in the past few weeks," he said, "a couple of yellow cards, a couple of awards and now a game for the Barbarians which is awesome."

Burger has a lot to deal with at his tender age.

As he points out he is the youngest member of the Barbarians but is almost viewed as a senior member of the Springboks now after a World Cup and this season.

"I still have a lot to learn in my rugby career, I have still got a lot of matches to play," he said.

Straight up, no drama, just the way the tearaway flanker has shown with his style in what should be a memorable series to come against All Blacks star Richie McCaw.

That duel gets a rest this weekend with Marty Holah ready to test his abilities against the South African.

Burger also knows Jerome Kaino the rookie All Black after several under-21 tournaments.

He noted Kaino had won the award for the best under-21 player and was very complimentary of his lineout ability, pace and athleticism.

Burger said his input this week had been minimal, he had just watched and listened like the international novice he was.

"I am just in awe, I am just checking the guys out because they have been doing this for years and they are unbelievable," he gushed.

"This is the perfect way to end the season - Barbarians against the All Blacks."

Unlucky Luke

Luke McAlister's wretched first tour with the All Blacks brings to mind those other unfortunates picked to play but never allowed to serve.

Ross Fraser

A true hardman of Taranaki rugby, best illustrated by his nickname: "Concrete". Fraser had slogged away for his province for years and in 1979 was picked for the All Blacks to play the touring Argentines. But Fraser never made the first test, breaking his leg and having to withdraw.

Richard Wilson

The All Whites goalkeeper who helped the side down that tortuous qualifying road to the World Cup in Spain in 1982. In doing so Wilson even set the record for the longest clean sheet in World Cup history of 918 minutes. But after the team got to Spain Wilson fell out of favour and had to sit on the bench against Scotland, Russia and Brazil while understudy Frank van Hattum got all the game time.

Andy Dalton The 35-test All Black hooker was to lead the side for the inaugural World Cup in 1987 but did not get on the park because of injury. Dalton never played again for the national side.

Rod Dixon

Fourth in the 5000m at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, Dixon would have been confident of at least a medal at the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton two years later - until he discovered his specially made track shoes had been nicked. That left Dixon rattled and managed only eighth in borrowed spikes.

Sylvia Potts

Potts was chasing gold in the 1500m at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1970. From the bottom of the last bend she launched a stinging attack and hit the front. But, just 2m from the tape, disaster, as Potts staggered and fell. By the time she walked across the line eight runners had passed her by.

…But what luck

Barrie Mabbott Picked for the New Zealand eight that won gold at the world championships in 1983, Mabbott was then axed from the crew for the Los Angeles Olympics the following year. He picked up a bronze medal in the coxed four. The eight went home empty handed.