Suspended Springbok flank Schalk Burger will stay in shape by training with the Western Province Currie Cup team for the next eight weeks.

Burger, who was suspended for eight weeks for his facial massage on British and Irish Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald, made his first appearance at a Province training session this week.

However, Burger will not be allowed to play - even though a change in rules now does allow him to train.

WP coach Allister Coetzee, addressing the media at the team's training base on Wednesday, confirmed that Burger will be a regular feature of the squad's training sessions.

"The [International Rugby Board] IRB ruling has changed," Coetzee told the media, adding: "It used to be no playing or training for a [suspended] player.

"We conferred with SA Rugby and he is entitled to train with us.

"Obviously it is great to have Schalk here."

Burger was suspended after the Boks clinched the series against the Lions with a 28-25 win in the second Test in Pretoria last month.

He was yellow carded in the first minute for the incident and later cited.

In handing down the eight-week ban the judicial officer made it clear Burger was not guilty of eye gouging, but of a lesser change of 'an act contrary to good sportsmanship' - making contact with the face in the eye area.

Burger, who missed the third Test in Johannesburg, will also miss the Boks' first three Tri-Nations encounters and is eligible again on August 22.

Even though it means that Burger would have played just one game - actually 70 minutes of that game - since the injury he suffered in the Super 14 back in April, the WP coach said he would be considered for selection as soon as he is available.

AFP

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