Springbok flank Schalk Burger has revealed that he never thought he would don the green and gold again.

Burger came off the bench in the Boks’ 47-13 win over a World XV at Newlands on Saturday.

Bok coach Heyneke Meyer praised the former IRB International Rugby Player of the Year’s versatility and the now 31-year-old agrees that he can play on either side of the scrum as well as at eighthman if need be.

“At the start of the season I said at the Stormers that I was prepared to play everywhere, and it is the same at the Boks. I have picked up skills over the years, and it is good to be able to play all three positions,” said Burger.

“It does add value (to the team), and that is what I want to do. At this stage any position is a position I am happy with and I cherish every game and cap more than I probably did when I was 26 or 27.”

The Stormers flanker admitted that he never thought he would play for the national team again.

Burger has been plagued with injuries throughout his career, while over the Easter Weekend last year he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and spent weeks in ICU, and for part of that time he was in a coma fighting for his life.

“I never thought this would happen again. There were quite a few guys in the changeroom before the World XV game that I never thought I would play with again,” added Burger.

“In one corner was Francois Louw and Schalk Brits, two guys formerly from the Stormers I never expected to play with again, and then in another there was Bakkies (Botha), Victor Matfield and Fourie (du Preez). It was nice to be back with those guys and wearing the green and gold again.”