Rugby Tour of South AfricaGerry Thornley talks to the South African flanker Schalk Burger, who played a major part in Ireland's downfall in Bloemfontein last Saturday

If, say, Paolo Maldini is the prototype for an Italian footballer, then Schalk Burger is likewise for Springbok rugby. Similarly, as the son of a great Bok lock, his bloodline is steeped in their rugby culture. At 6ft 6in metres and 16st 10lbs, the athletic and dynamic 21-year-old with an in-your-face abrasiveness certainly looks the part.

Heretofore seen principally as back-up for that noted shrinking violet Corne Krige, his three previous appearances were as a replacement. Maybe it's Schalk's shock of blond hair, but no Bok player made a bigger impression against Ireland last weekend.

Aside from the trademark hard straight running (twice figuring in the build-up to Bakkies Botha's opening try) in the absence of a breakdown specialist like Keith Gleeson, Burger was a thorn in Ireland's side, albeit conceding three penalties.

Just in case we hadn't noticed, he ended his involvement four minutes from time with a forearm across Marcus Horan's upper body. It was, if the truth be told, a cheap shot, but there was more than a bit of rough and tumble in Bloemfontein and he was afforded a hero's reception to the sidelines.

Yet when you've finish talking to him you couldn't but find him a big, affable, easy-going, engaging fellow. During a painfully awkward opening press conference, Burger was the only one to lighten the mood with a quip. The demand to talk to him was such that he held a personal press conference, after which he asks his Irish inquisitor how he's enjoying Cape Town.

Burger shrugs his shoulders when told that Eddie O'Sullivan admitted they didn't deal with him very well.

"If the ref allows me to play the ball on the ground, I'll play it until he blows the whistle, check the limits, and just check the yellow cards as well," he says with a chuckle.

Playing to the laws' boundaries goes with the territory for openside flankers, and his late yellow card  was a further example of how this applies to Burger. Though he concedes he did let himself down, he laughs when also reminded of the ensuing ovation.

"To be honest I was looking down at the ground because I didn't want to look up at the cameras. My mum was up in the stands. It was pretty cool, but it doesn't cover the disappointment of a yellow."

Aggression is, he matter-of-factly admits, an innate part of South Africa's rugby culture and his game.

"That's how I grew up playing the game, with a bit of aggression, so I'm not going to change it. If it gets me in too much trouble you've just got to calm down a bit. I think it's an important part of rugby and up front if you get the physical ascendancy it's half the battle won."

Astute judges, such as former Irish captain Dion O'Cuinneagain, believe that Burger might actually be more of a ball carrier than a true, openside fetcher. Ask Burger and he says: "To be honest I don't know what I am. I just try to be where the ball is. If that means I'm a fetcher or if that means I'm carrying the ball up, I'm happy. I just want to follow the ball and be as close to it as possible."

Burger doesn't come across as a fellow who lets life or his rugby get too complicated. His defensive motto is pretty similar, hunt the ball and knock over the man who comes within your range.

"In defence who knows what the Irish are going to play, so I just think it's as simple as that. If a guy comes into your channel you take your man. First-up tackles are very important, and you've just got to make sure you make a good hit."

Though Schalk Burger senior won only six caps (a two-Test series against England in 1984 and a four-Test series against the All Blacks), he was regarded as one of the Springboks' greatest locks.

Living up to the name, he says, was only an issue at primary school: "The biggest influence he had on me was to always say 'just enjoy it, it's only a game'. He was never too tense, he never put pressure on me. He enjoyed my cricket more than my rugby I think. And he's there for me as my father."

Schalk junior was born in Port Elizabeth, finished his education in Stellenbosch University, burst into the Boks' under-21 World Cup winning team of 2003 at 19, and propelled himself into last year's World Cup squad after eye-catching Currie Cup form for Western Province. So he's liable to be even more inspired by making his second Test start at Newlands.

"Playing for Western Province and the Stormers, it's like a dream come true to be playing at Newlands in front of my mates and all that. The home crowd is going to be awesome. I'm looking forward to the night out as well."

Cue the smile and chuckle.