The Stormers' back row ace's Dad played twice against Bill Beaumont's 1980 Lions, losing on both occasions with Eastern Province and the Junior Springboks. He went on to win six caps.
Burger Jnr will make his debut against the Lions 29 years on in what will be a special occasion for him as he becomes the latest Springbok to play 50 times for his country. A long term calf injury ruled him out of the game in Durban, but now he is raring to go.
"it will be a great privilege to play in a Lions test match. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I will hopefully have a good game," said Burger.
"It looked pretty tough last weekend and I thought the Lions played pretty well. We obviously don't know their guys as well as the New Zealanders and Australians, so it is more difficult playing against them.
"I know they'll look to be more physical this time around and it is going to be a good challenge playing against Tom Croft."
Burger has been brought into the side to beef up the pack ahead of what Springboks forwards coach Gary Gold believes will be a reversion to type by the Lions in their approach up front. Burger is 12 cms taller than the man he is replacing, Heinrich Brussow, and 9kgs heavier.
"We're expecting the Lions to raise the ante against us this weekend, especially at scrum and maul time. They've got everything to play for and we expect them to be much improved in those areas," said Gold.
"After what happened in Durban the Lions will probably go back to the drawing board with their forwards and look to launch a helluva onslaught against us. That's why we believe we've picked the best squad for what we expect from them."
.jpg)
