Habana: Wellington win pivotal for Boks
SPRINGBOK hero Bryan Habana did not give South Africa a chance in the World Cup earlier this year but now insists they have a realistic shot at glory for a third time.
The former wing, a winner with the Boks in 2007, is encouraged by recent results under coach Rassie Erasmus after despairing for three years.
South Africa had a win rate of less than 50 per cent from 2016 to 2018, although they did beat the All Blacks in Wellington last September.
This year they won the Rugby Championship for the first time in ten years after wins over Argentina and Australia and a draw with New Zealand. And Habana, who scored 67 tries in 124 Tests, is convinced the Boks have the firepower to add to their Cup wins in 1995 and 2007.
“I am happier than I was about four months ago,” said Habana, below. “If you look at Rassie’s first year in charge and in 2018 there was about a 50 per cent win ratio and a lot of uncertainty.
“In Super Rugby there was a lot of disappointment in terms of where the South African teams ended and how they were playing. Fast forward three months and they’ve won the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2009 and gone unbeaten. That creates a lot of optimism going to Japan. “Given a disappointing 2016, 2017 and 2018 we are now pretty excited and believing this side can go onto win it which five months ago we wouldn’t have thought possible.”
South Africa start their campaign with a mouthwatering clash with New Zealand in Yokohama on September 21 and a win would put them on course to win their Pool.
Habana, speaking on behalf of Land Rover, official partner of RWC2019, reckons recent results against the All Blacks have fuelled expectations.
He added: “As things stand against New Zealand, everything is equal over the last year – they both won a game, both lost a game and points difference is zero – which shows South Africa can go into this match with a lot of expectation of doing well.
“Every team that has won the World Cup has never lost a game. The win at Wellington was a pivotal moment, the players know they can overcome an All Blacks team that goes into this World Cup favourites.
“The top six or seven sides could win this World Cup. It is great for the game not knowing who is going to suceed.”