ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Schalk Burger awarded Comeback of the Year at the 2015 Laureus Awards

BY mattmon10  ·  Thursday Apr 23, 2015

Springbok and Stormers superstar Schalk Burger has won the 2015 Laureus Comeback of the Year award for his exceptional achievements on and off the rugby pitch. You can read more about his inspirational story below, then watch the a touching video documenting his incredible journey over the past few years, and his remarkable return to topflight rugby. 

Established in 1999, the Laureus Awards are essentially the sports equivalent of The Oscars. Nominees come from all over the world in a variety of disciplines, each with their own story and background that justifies their nomination.

This year Schalk Burger was recognised for his inspirational journey from international rugby player to hospital patient fighting for his life, and then climbing back to the top.

“Oustanding workrate,” “unparallelled desire,” “phenomenal strength,” – all are terms often heard to describe the playing style of the South African flanker.

Accompanied by his humble nature off the pitch, Burger is admired as a true gentleman of the sport, encapsulating the ethos of rugby. Fortunately, his never say die attitude on the pitch is the same mindset that would see him through the months of ongoing health complications, starting in early 2013.

After genuine fears for his life, with his family by his side, the Springbok warrior fought back from bacterial meningitis, a coma, and four invasive procedures to remove the cyst on his spine which had caused the problems to begin with.

All in all he would spend 6 weeks in hospital and a further 8 weeks recovering indoors.

With a professional opinion that his rugby career was certainly over – Burger set about proving that wrong.

Now, just over two years since his initial diagnosis, Burger has played his 100th Super Rugby match and competed once again on the world stage for the Springboks, with the next goal to being selected for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

South African Rugby Union chief executive, Oregan Hoskins, offered his words in recognition of Burger’s resolve. “What Schalk has gone through in the last couple of years and what he has achieved makes it one of the most inspirational sporting stories in our recent history.

“I would like to congratulate him on this amazing achievement.”

Below is the moving nomination video that was used at the awards to present his remarkable journey, with contributions from his wife, family, friends and Schalk himself. It goes some way towards trying to imagine just what he has accomplished after coming so close to losing it all.

On page 2 there is a fascinating interview with the man himself from his appearance on Rugby HQ last year, as well as a touching clip of him accepting his award in fitting humble fashion. 

credit: Bigsky Productions

credit: Rugby 365/Fox Sports Australia 

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    Adam Radwan sets sights on Olympic honours...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Kyle Rowe’s remarkable journey from an...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Bath Rugby bolster squad with another young...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 DAY AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 22 HOURS AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

View All