Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Heinrich Brussow

Friday, September 04, 2009

Heinrich Brussow - a Springbok revelation

There aren't many players in world rugby that would keep former IRB Player of the Year Schalk Burger out of a team. Youngster Heinrich Brussow is one though, that has impressed to such a degree that Burger finds himself on the bench since returning from his suspension.

Brussow, the 23 year old Cheetahs and Springbok fetcher who has added another dimension to the World Champions’ armoury, looks to be here to stay. Burger will play off the bench for now, keeping him on his toes and hopefully, squeaky clean.

"Heinrich Brüssow has done well in that position but it is great to have a player like Schalk - with 50 caps - amongst a very capable bench," Bok captain John Smit said.

Brussow has had a dream start to his international career following his standout performance for the Cheetahs against the touring British & Irish Lions. That led to his selection for the Springboks, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Scoring on debut, Brussow then featured prominently throughout the series, and has since gone up against two of the best fetchers in the world, George Smith and Richie McCaw. Brussow came out tops, as he did in last seasons Super 14, when his turn-over statistics were ahead of that of McCaw’s. He remains humble though.

“Schalk Burger was my hero. He was young and therefore it was easy to identify with him. The same applies to Juan Smith, who is an outstanding player and at the same union as me. Overseas? George Smith – he has the same build as me and put fetchers back on the map.”

Regarding the fact that he’s only a little guy, he’s fully aware that in the future there might be a ‘horses for courses’ approach to selection.

"When you play Australia and they try to quicken the pace, a short flank may be a good idea – to compete for the loose balls and slow their ball," he said.

"It may be a different matter against England. They are physical and seek confrontation up front. I will understand opting for size against them."

Whether he starts or comes on off the bench, there's no doubt he's a great player with a tremendous future ahead of him. The Burger vs Brussow debate will continue for some time.

Time: 02:22

Great player. Great inspiration for smaller players in the game.

By Jim, at September 04, 2009 11:50 am
Great guy, Great player - hope to see alot more of him in the years to come!

By Anonymous, at September 04, 2009 12:02 pm
great player, great person, but obviously not the most intelligent bloke :D

By Anonymous, at September 04, 2009 12:46 pm
An amazing player!! To keep Burger out of the starting line up & to even out play Richie Mcaw shows real class!
At the break down & tackel area he is good but there is some areas to his game that he could work on.
Look forward to see more of this young talented player!

By Anonymous, at September 04, 2009 1:16 pm
According to wikipedia he is 5 foot 11 inches. Yes this is small for the average openside in proffessional rugby but as a 5'7'' flanker myself it makes any dreams of mine seem even further away :(

By Midget No7, at September 04, 2009 1:20 pm
This guy has an amazing Afrikaans accent.

Sweet fetching... wonder how I would clean a guy like him out

(you don't)

By Anonymous, at September 04, 2009 2:00 pm
Fantastic find for the Boks! As a Bok supporter, it's been a pleasure to watch the Bokke add a fetcher to the team!

By Anonymous, at September 04, 2009 2:13 pm
Heck that video only has about 40 seconds of him playing and het commits about 5 penalties.

By Anonymous, at September 04, 2009 3:23 pm
There aren't any penalties, he's always involved in the tackle, and under the new rules, the tackler can play the ball.
Learn the rules.

By Jon, at September 04, 2009 4:26 pm
Totally agree with Jake White - Brussow fits in perfectly with the makeup of the current Bok team. Does that imply that Brussow wouldn't be doing so good if this Bok team wasn't what it is? I don't think so, because the guy's still great at what he does - tackling and turnover ball.

By realrugby, at September 04, 2009 4:43 pm
I'll tell y'all something this kid is fantastic...nothing better than getting turnover ball. His tackling is solid, and he is so quick to get back to his feet to contest its almost a turnover everytime he nails someone...Last week tho the Ozzies clearly made sure to get him off their ball by diving over the rucks (illegal) but hey if it aint blown by the ref keep going.

Another thing he sure is humble...i read another interview where he states he thinks Schalk is the #1 fetcher/flank in the SA, and he respects both George and Richie, now this is a well mannered young buck, always good to give your respects to those have done it before you.

...he'll go far.

By semperfimamba, at September 04, 2009 7:42 pm
...one more thing,

Yo Jake White....think Brussow would be good to fetch beers for you? And your comment that a good big cat will always be better than a good lil cat...Brussow is proving thats is a load of bull.

Schalk is an excellent player but still cant get into the starting side...

Jake.. humble pie ...humble pie partner.

By semperfimamba, at September 04, 2009 7:47 pm
An absolute KING of his trade!
You are my hero Brussouw!

By Anonymous, at September 04, 2009 11:12 pm
To the Anon above, I find your comments racist and purile, English is clearly not his first language, that does not make him an idiot. Be a man put your name to your infintile rantings. RD please remove his comment.

By The Rambling Man, at September 05, 2009 12:42 am
he may be short be he def lifts a ton of weight.

By Anonymous, at September 05, 2009 2:08 am
Brussouw recently said that as a teenager he worshipped George Smith. He actually modelled his game on him, as he felt he could be a similar type player and found that in school matches he was able to do what he saw Smith doing on tv.

He also looked up to Juan Smith, and Schalk Burger. Now he's playing with them, and against Smith (and McCaw).

Living the dream.

By Shaft, at September 05, 2009 9:54 am
Schalk Burger - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SkHWxBtGM8

By Anonymous, at September 05, 2009 9:57 am
Fair play to him he's a stong guy for someone relatively small. i seriously think this is the sort of player England are missing so bad!!! we've got lumps who can bosh it up the middle we need something more dynamic! and i personally don't think Will Skinner, Steffon Armitage, Lipman, Etc cut the grade.... we need a 7!!!!! or in SA terms a 6.

mark

By Anonymous, at September 05, 2009 1:35 pm
got his ass handed to him by Pocock of all people! gets a few good turnovers, doesn't make yards or take the ball on, can tackle ok, not the best in the world, shite discipline, gave about five penalties away in the Australia game, think he was fully exposed in that game and will now make way for Burger the dirtiest player in the world. Boks will take the tri-nations with their remarkably undetectable cheating game wich is very well practiced.

By Anonymous, at September 05, 2009 6:17 pm
heinrich brussow - a springbok cheat

By Anonymous, at September 05, 2009 10:30 pm
Better get practicing boys!! Cheat or not he does what he does well, because its NOT easy.

I play loose forward and had my hands torn to shreds in a pre-season match last week trying to play the ball after tackles, I'm obviously not as good as he is, but again I couldn't see any professional players on either team.

It makes no difference what level you play, turning over as much ball as he does is pretty amazing.

By Anonymous, at September 06, 2009 10:41 am
Brussow is very one dimensional, Like Goerge Smith was very early in his career. Very good at turning over ball and that's it. Of course he has the luxury of a very good tight five. Smith had this luxury early in his career as well with Eales and Co....when the Aussie tight 5 went south so did Smith.

By Anonymous, at September 06, 2009 7:37 pm