Jacques Burger encapsulates all the values rugby union ’ s marketing people love to espouse . Fiercely loyal , brave beyond words , strong and dedicated . At Saracens , who take on Racing Metro in Paris on Sunday in the European Champions Cup quarter-final , the flanker is loved by his team-mates every bit as much as he is loathed by opponents who fear the reckless abandon with which he is prepared to play the game . With a face left battered and bruised by years of punishment , Burger is the man you want on your team . ‘ I change into something else when I play rugby , my personality changes , ’ said Burger . ‘ When I step off the pitch I will be somebody else again . It is pretty weird . You go out there and do your job then you step off and pick up your kids and you are soft again . When it is time to go , there is a switch that turns you on for a big match . Saracens ace Jacques Burger looks to get to grips with Harlequins Marland Yarde . Burger of Saracens tackles Harlequins ace Chris Robshaw in the Aviva Premiership match . ‘ My dad always says he doesn ’ t want to die a healthy man . I don ’ t want to go down healthy . Hopefully there ’ ll be a bit of wear and tear . I ’ m happy to crack on and give 100 per cent every time I get the opportunity. ’ Therein lies the challenge facing rugby today . For all we love about these young men who risk serious injury every week in order to entertain us , are the risks becoming too great ? Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall described Burger as ‘ unique among rugby players ’ , praising his willingness to ignore risks to his own wellbeing . Burger and Schalk Brits of Saracens tackle Damien Chouly of ASM Clermont Auvergne . Burger bursts through to score a try during the Aviva Premiership match between Saracens and Harlequins . His continued presence on a rugby field is something of a miracle after undergoing pioneering knee surgery in South Africa more than three years ago which a British specialist refused to carry out because he considered it too extreme . At the very least he will need a full knee replacement in the not-too-distant future . ‘ I feel massively blessed , ’ said the 31-year-old Namibian farmer ’ s son from Windhoek . ‘ I never thought I ’ d have come back and played so many games after the surgery . I went through a lot of pain . ‘ The physio says I ’ m a bit like Benjamin Button . I ’ m going back in time and healing up again . I will probably regret it after rugby when I ’ m sitting at home having to do some work . But that ’ s for the future . I ’ ll worry about that when I get there. ’ Sitiveni Sivivatu is tackled by Burger and Kelly Brown during the Heineken Cup semi final . But while he can be very cavalier with his own body , Burger believes players do need to be protected from themselves at times . ‘ It is annoying for players sometimes because you want to crack on and keep playing . But players ’ health after rugby has to be the No 1 priority because it is such a short amount of rugby you play in your life. ’ The 31-year-old will run out against Racing Metro on Sunday off the back of a performance against Harlequins at Wembley last Saturday that McCall believes was his best since the astonishing man-of-the-match display he produced against Clermont Auvergne in last year ’ s European semi-final . ‘ It ’ s going to take a big game to bring it home , ’ said Burger . ‘ The European knockout stages is when you get tested . That ’ s when some guys become stars and I ’ m up for that . ’
Jacques Burger prepares for battle with Mark McCall in quarter-final clash . At Sarries the flanker is loved by his teammates every bit as much as he is loathed by opponents . Saracens director of rugby Racing Metro described Burger as ‘ unique among rugby players ’ With a face left battered and bruised by years of punishment , Burger is the man you want on your team .