Springbok legend: Bryan Habana

Celebrate world champion Springbok Bryan Habana’s 42nd birthday with a look back on his illustrious career.

In his pomp, Habana was the most lethal finisher in the game. His ability to hurt the opposition in myriad ways earned him the respect of the rugby world and won the Springboks games they would otherwise have lost.

His top-end speed was celebrated most often, but it was his acceleration from a standing start that engineered many of his scoring opportunities. He needed little space to operate, bursting through a gap in crowds of would-be tacklers.

It was no surprise that he became the Boks’ leading try-scorer, finishing with a grand total of 67 in 124 Tests, but becoming a Test centurion while playing on the wing is also testament to his longevity.

Habana had a decorated career.

The speedster helped the Springboks win the 2007 World Cup in France by scoring a record-equalling eight tries. He also lifted the Tri-Nations twice, in 2004 and 2009, and won a series against the British & Irish Lions in 2009.

At franchise and club level, Habana won two Super Rugby titles with the Bulls (2007 and 2009) – famously scoring the match-winning try in the 2007 final against the Sharks – as well as the Currie Cup with the Bulls (2005) and Western Province (2012). He was then part of the star-studded Toulon team that won back-to-back European Cup titles (2013-14 and 2014-15) and the French Top 14 (2013-14).

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