The legendary Stormers veteran is coming to the end of a celebrated and long career with the Cape franchise that started in 2004 (he made his Western Province debut before that in 2003) before taking up a contract with England club Saracens at the end of the Super Rugby season.
With the two co-captains selected for the season, Juan de Jongh and Malherbe, both missing for the tour of Australia, Burger took the captaincy reins and the players appeared to respond to his clear leadership and sense of direction.
Against both the Rebels and the Western Force there were difficult moments for the Stormers that they managed to get through, and Burger’s experience was key.
When Burger is captaining the side, the identity of the team leader is more noticeable than when De Jongh, who is unavailable for the final phase of the season because of Springbok Sevens commitment, and Malherbe are at the helm.
And with Burger probably playing his farewell game in Stormers colours at Newlands in the quarterfinal the Stormers are likely to travel if they make the semifinals – it makes sense to have his inspirational leadership and experience at the helm.
Everyone knows that the one thing Burger has not achieved in his stellar career is a trophy with the Stormers, and having him as captain now would galvanise support for the team.
But the Stormers brains trust, which would have included not just Fleck but director of rugby Gert Smal too, had their reasons for going for the two younger players as co-captains this season, and Fleck says the reasoning has not changed.
