Netball Super League | South African international Sigi Burger signs for Rhinos Netball

Burger during the Vitality Super League match between London Pulse and Leeds Rhinos at Studio 001, Wakefield, England on 29th March 2021.

Rhinos Netball have confirmed the signing of South African international Sigi Burger, 25, from London Pulse.

Burger, who can play goal shooter and goal attack, is the eleventh player announced for the club as they head into pre-season preparations for the 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) season.

She began her career in the UK with Surrey Storm in 2018 where she was a crowd favourite and won the Player of the Year in her second season.

After two years at Storm the player, who stands at 6ft 2in, moved to London Pulse ahead of the 2020 season and made an instant impression for her new club with a 124 goals from 127 shots before the season was suspended. When the competition resumed in 2021 she was a regular for the side, making 16 appearances and scoring 281 goals.

After captaining the South African U21s against England in 2017 she was tipped to captain the Baby Proteas for the World Youth Cup before suffering an ACL injury. She made her senior debut aged 20 against Wales in 2016 and then went onto represent her country in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 World Cup and now has 28 caps.

Speaking about signing for Leeds Burger said: “I am excited to be joining the Rhinos and for the new challenge and the chance to experience a different culture and environment. I played against the Rhinos last season and what I loved was they were such a team on and off the court which is something that really stood out for me and one of the main reasons I wanted to join.

“I think being part of a full time programme is definitely something that I need in my netball so I can fully commit myself and dedicate these next ten months into my netball. I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work but I love a challenge.”

In the off season, Burger travelled home back home to Bredasdorp and is currently on international duty in the Republic of Ireland and will join up with the Rhinos to play her first game in the upcoming Fast5 tournament at the Copper Box on 30^th October.

Maggie Birkinshaw, assistant coach for Rhinos Netball, added: “Sigi is an exciting addition to our squad and I can’t wait to start working with her. She has proven herself in Superleague and on the international scene and at still just 25 there is plenty more to come from her.

“She is one of the most consistent shooters in the competition and is calm and composed, which are the qualities you want from your shooter. I am sure the Yorkshire netball public are going to love watching her for the Rhinos in 2022.”

Burger is the eleventh signing confirmed by Leeds Rhinos Netball, joining Rhea Dixon, Vicki Oyesola, Sienna Rushton, Tuaine Keenan, Amy Clinton, Amelia Hall, Rebekah Airey, Paige Kindred, Brie Grierson and Emily Hollingworth.