Habana: Don’t write off SA
SPRINGBOK legend Bryan Habana says this year’s Rugby World Cup could potentially be one of the most tightly-contested tournaments ever.
“Leading into 2019 I would’ve probably said Ireland are the best team in the world, but then Wales and England proved differently in the Six Nations this year. And New Zealand obviously go in as favourites as the current holders,” said Habana, who with Jonah Lomu shares the World Cup record of 15 tries in the tournament.
“From a South African perspective, we saw in that win in Wellington last year against the All Blacks that the Springboks would be written off at the opposition’s peril.
“I think it’s going to be immensely entertaining. When it’s this tightly-contested, we might not get the same teams from the southern hemisphere contesting the semi-finals this year.”
Switching his attention to this year’s Super Rugby competition, Habana says he’s seen a lot of positives from the South African teams but adds that one would still be hard-pressed to bet against the Crusaders making it a home final in Christchurch again this year.
“I think you’d be a very brave man to go against the Crusaders not ending top of the log and potentially having another home final. But from a South African perspective there’s been a lot of promise shown, and of course a bit of disappointment as well,” said Habana.
Habana won two Super Rugby titles with the Bulls in 2007 and 2009, and says the success they shared in the toughest rugby competition in the southern hemisphere created a bond between the players that is still strong to this day.
“When I was at the Bulls under Heyneke Meyer, we weren’t hitting the lights out right from the start. I think Heyneke suffered a season where he lost 12 in a row or something like that.
“But as players we started forming some real bonds and gained experience, and that allowed us to do something really amazing.”