text: 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.’
target: Jacques Burger prepares for battle with Racing Metro 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 Mark McCall 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 .