Burger backs the Welsh

Springbok flanker says Wales have every chance

South Africa's player of the year Schalk Burger has given Wales the seal of approval ahead of their clash with the All Blacks next Saturday.

Burger was amazed at the progress made by Mike Ruddock's dragons since the 53-18 thumping handed out to them by the Springboks in June.

The big blond flanker thinks a similar performance to the one on Saturday would be enough to topple the All Blacks, something the Welsh have not managed since 1953.

"New Zealand are a quality side," said Burger to the South Wales Echo. "But if Wales can take the momentum from this game into that one they have every chance,"

"They can make it very tough for the All Blacks if they play the same way as they did against us.

"These Test matches can be decided on the bounce of the ball and who wants it more on the day.

"Wales looked to have improved considerably since our last meeting with them in June.

"You only have to look at the scoreline to see that. Wales played extremely well while we didn't perform as well as we could have.

"At times it felt a little bit we were wobbling and Wales could steal the game from us.

Burger was also impressed with the atmosphere cooked up by the Welsh crowd at the Millennium Stadium

"The Millennium Stadium is an awesome place to play rugby and reminds me very much of Newlands back home. The enclosed nature creates a special atmosphere."

Ironically it was Burger's sin-binning for killing the ball on the stroke of half-time which gave Wales a foothold in the game.

"I have no complaints over the sin-binning," added Burger.

"It's all part of the game, but it did seem more like 30 minutes on the side than 10 when Wales started putting a few points on the board when I was off."