Former Springbok Schalk Burger senior and his wine estate, Welbedacht Wines, have been fined by the Paarl Magistrates Court for failing to submit various tax returns dating as far back as 2011.
The court found Burger guilty on 14 counts related to the non-submission of VAT, PAYE, and personal income tax returns.
He was ordered to pay R6 000 per count, or serve 12 months in prison for each, with R2 000 (four months) suspended on each count for five years.
The total fine amounts to R56 000, with an additional R28 000 suspended.
Entered plea agreement
Welbedacht Wines received two separate fines of R6 000 each for failing to submit a VAT return for February 2023 and an employer PAYE declaration for March 2023.
Burger entered a plea and sentence agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), acknowledging that the outstanding returns – spanning more than a decade – were only filed after criminal proceedings had begun.
He has arranged to pay off the fine in monthly instalments, starting with R6 000 and ending with a final payment of R8 000.
His son, Christiaan Francois Burger, also faced charges for failing to submit personal income tax returns from 2011 to 2022.
He was fined R48 000, or 96 months in prison, with R24 000 suspended.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila warned that the matter serves as a reminder to the public during the current tax season:
“Failure to file income tax returns will not be accepted. This is an offence that affects the fiscus.”
Springbok stats
Schalk Burger senior played six Tests for the Springboks between 1984 and 1986.
| Full names: Schalk Willem Petrus |
| Date of birth: 6 October 1955 |
| Place of birth: Cape Town |
| School: Paarl Gimnasium |
| Springbok #535 |
| Physical: 1.95m, 97kg |
| Test summary: Tests: 6 Tries: 0 |
| First Test: 2 Jun 1984 – Lock against England at Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth |
| Last Test: 31 May 1986 – Lock against NZ Cavaliers at Ellis Park, Johannesburg |
Test history
| Date | Position | Opponent | Venue | Result |
| 2 June 1984 | Lock | England | Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth | Won 33-15 |
| 9 June 1984 | Lock | England | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Won 35-9 |
| 10 May 1986 | Lock | NZ Cavaliers | Newlands, Cape Town | Won 21-15 |
| 17 May 1986 | Lock | NZ Cavaliers | Kings Park, Durban | Lost 19-18 |
| 24 May 1986 | Lock | NZ Cavaliers | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Won 33-18 |
| 31 May 1986 | Lock | NZ Cavaliers | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Won 24-10 |
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