Christopher Burger

{{Short description|South African cricketer (1935–2014)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{For|the American convicted murderer and former soldier|murder of Roger Honeycutt}}

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Chris Burger

| image =

| caption =

| fullname = Christopher George de Villiers Burger

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1935|7|12|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Randfontein, Transvaal, South Africa

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2014|6|4|1935|7|12|df=yes}}

| death_place = Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling = Right-arm medium

| club1 = Natal

| year1 = 1955-56 to 1965-66

| columns = 2

| column1 = Tests

| matches1 = 2

| runs1 = 62

| bat avg1 = 20.66

| 100s/50s1 = 0/0

| top score1 = 37*

| deliveries1 = –

| wickets1 = –

| bowl avg1 = –

| fivefor1 = –

| tenfor1 = –

| best bowling1 = –

| catches/stumpings1= 1/–

| column2 = First-class

| matches2 = 48

| runs2 = 2073

| bat avg2 = 30.04

| 100s/50s2 = 2/15

| top score2 = 131

| deliveries2 = 26

| wickets2 = 1

| bowl avg2 = 17.00

| fivefor2 = 0

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 1/8

| catches/stumpings2= 47/–

| international = true

| country = South Africa

| testdebutfor =

| testdebutagainst =

| testdebutdate = 7 February

| testdebutyear = 1958

| lasttestdate = 28 February

| lasttestfor =

| lasttestagainst =

| lasttestyear = 1958

| source = https://www.espncricinfo.com/southafrica/content/player/44076.html Cricinfo

| date = 12 June

| year = 2023

}}

Christopher George de Villiers Burger (12 July 1935 – 5 June 2014) was a South African cricketer who played in two Tests in 1958.

Chris Burger went to school at Michaelhouse, and represented Natal Schools at rugby union and South African Schools at cricket in 1953 and 1954.{{cite news |last1=Knowles |first1=David |title=Cricket mourns the death of Chris Burger |url=https://www.news24.com/witness/archive/Cricket-mourns-the-death-of-Chris-Burger-20150430 |accessdate=1 October 2020 |work=The Witness |date=7 June 2014}} He was an attacking middle-order batsman who played first-class cricket for Natal from 1956 to 1966. After making useful runs for Natal in their two matches against the touring Australians in 1957–58 he was selected in South Africa's team for the Fourth and Fifth Tests."Australians in South Africa, 1957-58", Wisden 1959, pp. 775–802. He top-scored with 37 not out in the second innings of the Fifth Test, but it was only enough to avert an innings defeat, and Australia went on to win by eight wickets.{{cite web |title=5th Test, Port Elizabeth, Feb 28 - Mar 4 1958, Australia tour of South Africa |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17400/scorecard/62834 |website=Cricinfo |accessdate=1 October 2020}}

Burger toured England in 1961 with the South African Fezela XI of promising young players. His most successful season was 1962–63, when he made 540 runs at an average of 45.00.{{cite web |title=First-Class Batting and Fielding in Each Season by Chris Burger |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1070/f_Batting_by_Season.html |website=CricketArchive |accessdate=1 October 2020}} He also made his highest score that season, 131 in 149 minutes against Eastern Province, when Natal scored 468 for 6 on New Year's Eve and went on to win by an innings and 234 runs.{{cite web |title=Eastern Province v Natal 1962-63|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/25/25916.html|website=CricketArchive |accessdate=1 October 2020}}