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100-up for former WP man Habana

PUBLISHED: September 3, 2014


Former DHL WP and DHL Stormers star Bryan Habana will on Saturday become the fourth Springbok and 33rd player overall to play in 100 Tests when South Africa take on Australia in the third round of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship at Patersons Stadium in Perth.

Of course, national – and DHL Stormers – skipper Jean de Villiers will, himself, be in line to reach the 100-cap landmark next weekend, with the centre playing his 99th match for the Springboks in Perth.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old Habana – who made his debut for the Boks against England at Twickenham on November 20, 2004 – holds the record for the most Test tries in a Springbok jersey. His 56 Test tries places him fourth on the list of all-time international try-scorers.

The three-time South African Rugby Player of the Year (2004, 2007 and 2012), who was also named the IRB Rugby Player of the Year in 2007, will lead the Springboks out on Saturday as he follows Percy Montgomery, John Smit and Victor Matfield in amassing 100 Tests in the Green & Gold.

“This is an unbelievable achievement by Bryan, who is someone every South African can be immensely proud of,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

“Bryan is a true professional and someone who never gives anything but his best, on the field and off it. For him to reach this magnificent milestone is just reward for years of dedication and hard work.

“Apart from scoring tries and always giving 100% on the field, Bryan is also a humble servant to the game and a true ambassador for his family, his friends and his country. He will go down in history as one of the greatest rugby players of all time.

“He is always looking for improvement – I’ve never seen him play a bad game in the Springbok jersey.”

In total, the starting line-up shows six changes from the team which beat Argentina in Salta recently. Jan Serfontein and Morné Steyn will start in the backline and Marcell Coetzee, Victor Matfield, Adriaan Strauss and Tendai Mtawarira have been included in the pack.

As a result of these changes, Bismarck du Plessis, Lood de Jager and WP starlet Damian de Allende shift to the bench, whilst Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe and Pat Lambie will join the uncapped Warren Whiteley on the bench.

“We were always planning in moving our personnel around during the competition,” explained Meyer.

“The only new player in the team is Warren, whom I’m very happy for and excited to see what he can do. He covers all three positions in the loose trio and can make an impact later in the game.

“It’s also good to see Pat back in the frame. He’s completed his comeback from a long-term injury and will provide necessary bench cover for flyhalf and fullback.

“Saturday’s Test against Australia will take a massive effort from every member of our squad. We’re not looking at their recent result against New Zealand and we know they will be a tough opponent.

“Similarly, we need to move on from our victories over Argentina, which are now in the past. This is a new challenge and one we have to overcome to stay alive in the competition.”

The Springbok team to face Australia in Perth is:

15. Willie le Roux – 17 caps
14. Cornal Hendricks – 5 caps
13. Jan Serfontein – 12 caps
12. Jean de Villiers (captain) – 98 caps
11. Bryan Habana – 99 caps
10. Morné Steyn – 58 caps
9. Ruan Pienaar – 78 caps
8. Duane Vermeulen – 21 caps
7. Marcell Coetzee – 18 caps
6. Francois Louw – 32 caps
5. Victor Matfield (vice-captain) – 113 caps
4. Eben Etzebeth – 25 caps
3. Jannie du Plessis – 56 caps
2. Adriaan Strauss – 37 caps
1. Tendai Mtawarira – 57 caps

Replacements:
16. Bismarck du Plessis – 62 caps
17. Trevor Nyankane – 5 caps
18. Marcel van der Merwe – 1 cap
19. Lood de Jager – 5 caps
20. Warren Whiteley – uncapped
21. Francois Hougaard – 29 caps
22. Pat Lambie – 32 caps
23. Damian de Allende – 2 caps

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television Match Official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)