In a classic exchange of banter, Schalk Burger couldn't resist clapping back with a dose of his notorious wit after Duane Vermeulen drew parallels between up-and-comer Henry Pollock and a youthful Burger. The stage was set on "The Verdict," where Burger, flanked by rugby veterans Jean de Villiers and Hanyani Shimange, tackled the comparison head-on, humor and all.
Right off the bat, Burger zeroed in on the lighter side of the comparison, particularly their matching hairstyles. "Well, the hair is the same, we didn't use the same hairdresser, surely not," he quipped. But it was his next remark that really had the panel chuckling.
"If we are very similar, Henry Pollock, you’re going to look like this in a couple of years’ time, pal. You’d better find your wife soon,"
he joked, tipping off his cap to reveal his own hairline.
The panel recognized that beyond just physical resemblance, Pollock shares a kindred spirit with Burger's younger days on the pitch. De Villiers pointed out, "No, very much the same personality. On the field, the same characteristics, social media and so on." Yet, amidst the laughter, Burger had a moment of faux humility. "I would like to think I was a little bit more understated, fellas."
This isn't the first time Burger has playfully poked fun at the young English forward. He once described Pollock as "a TikTok dancer" who "plays a little bit of rugby on the weekend." Despite the jabs, he acknowledged the significant impact Pollock brings when he comes off the bench, demonstrating a grudging respect for the young player's skills.
Clearly, Burger enjoys stirring the pot, but his jibes are all in good fun, highlighting the camaraderie and banter that rugby fosters among its stars, past and present. As Pollock's career progresses, it seems he not only has the challenge of living up to his playing style but also mastering his responses to Burger's legendary humor.
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In a classic exchange of banter, Schalk Burger couldn't resist clapping back with a dose of his notorious wit after Duane Vermeulen drew parallels between up-and-comer Henry Pollock and a youthful Burger. The stage was set on "The Verdict," where Burger, flanked by rugby veterans Jean de Villiers and Hanyani Shimange, tackled the comparison head-on, humor and all.
Right off the bat, Burger zeroed in on the lighter side of the comparison, particularly their matching hairstyles. "Well, the hair is the same, we didn't use the same hairdresser, surely not," he quipped. But it was his next remark that really had the panel chuckling.
"If we are very similar, Henry Pollock, you’re going to look like this in a couple of years’ time, pal. You’d better find your wife soon,"
he joked, tipping off his cap to reveal his own hairline.The panel recognized that beyond just physical resemblance, Pollock shares a kindred spirit with Burger's younger days on the pitch. De Villiers pointed out, "No, very much the same personality. On the field, the same characteristics, social media and so on." Yet, amidst the laughter, Burger had a moment of faux humility. "I would like to think I was a little bit more understated, fellas."
This isn't the first time Burger has playfully poked fun at the young English forward. He once described Pollock as "a TikTok dancer" who "plays a little bit of rugby on the weekend." Despite the jabs, he acknowledged the significant impact Pollock brings when he comes off the bench, demonstrating a grudging respect for the young player's skills.
Clearly, Burger enjoys stirring the pot, but his jibes are all in good fun, highlighting the camaraderie and banter that rugby fosters among its stars, past and present. As Pollock's career progresses, it seems he not only has the challenge of living up to his playing style but also mastering his responses to Burger's legendary humor.