CAPE TOWN // The South African flanker Schalk Burger has been recalled by the Springboks after serving his eight-week ban for eye gouging. Burger was banned following his controversial clash with British Lion Luke Fitzgerald when he was found guilty of making contact with the eye area of the winger in June. He is now back in the South Africa squad for the next stage of their Tri Nations campaign as his ban will expire before the Springboks' next game against Australia in Perth on August 29.
The Springboks have won three Tests in his absence, including their 29-17 victory over Australia in Cape Town at the weekend, and the Western Province player must now hope he can dislodge Heinrich Brussow, who has been impressive since being called up as his replacement. Burger is one of four players added to the group of 23 who beat Australia and defeated New Zealand twice, the others being Sharks loose forward Ryan Kankowski, Blue Bulls prop Gurthro Steenkamp and Sharks winger Odwa Ndungane.
After playing the Wallabies in Perth, South Africa will face Australia again in Brisbane on September 5 and New Zealand in Hamilton on September 12. Meanwhile, Daniel Carter may not be rushed back into the New Zealand squad for the match against Australia in two weeks' time. Carter scored all Canterbury's points in their 22-16 Air New Zealand Cup win against Auckland on Saturday - but he had not been asked to attend the All Blacks' training camp.
The fly-half, 27, hopes to talk to the All Blacks coaches this week but concedes not being involved in the camp would suggest he was unlikely to feature in the Test, which doubles as a Bledisloe Cup game, in Sydney on August 22. "If I'm not in that camp it would be tough coming in for that Test match," he said. "I'll just do as I'm told and train where I have to." * PA Sport
