The 32-year-old Springboks winger recounted it yesterday after equalling Lomu’s record for tries at the Rugby World Cup, crossing for his 13th, 14th and 15th tries during a big win over the United States at London’s Olympic Stadium.
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Before the United States of America game, Boks coach Heyneke Meyer talked about his side “doing a Roger Bannister”, citing the British runner who broke the four-minute mile barrier as an example of overcoming the impossible.
Habana also joined Australia great David Campese at No. 2 on the all-time list of test tries with his 64th, from 114 test matches.
Habana netted a hat-trick, on a night when South Africa made light work of their opposition.
And they did just that within 60 seconds, Bryan Habana collecting Fourie du Preez’ neat kick through and, once the Toulon flyer had the ball in his hands, no one was going to stop him.
From then on it was a rout, Habana adding two more tries in quick succession, with Francois Louw (two tries), Jesse Kriel, and Lwazi Mvovo all crossing as well.
South Africa kept their opposition scoreless for the fourth time in a World Cup game, more than any other team in the competition’s history.
“Bryan is an exceptional human being and he’s achieved a lot, he’s a role model for all of us – we look up to him”, Mtawarira said. “I’m a very, very positive person”, he said of the comeback following the unexpected loss to Japan.
“As nice as it is to be scoring tries, I think where we can really be proud of ourselves in our defensive effort over the last two weeks”.
Habana’s first try on Wednesday made the score 21-0, and when hooker Bismarck du Plessis burrowed over from a close-range ruck six minutes later, the match was all but over.
“It’s a week and a half, and so far I’ve quite enjoyed it”, du Preez said. “He has experienced with us the highs of victory and the lows of defeat and has become one of the team”.
“That second-half performance has been as polished as I have been involved in with a Bok team”, he told reporters.
If Scotland lose, even with two bonus points, Japan can pip them for second place by beating the US with a bonus point in the final pool game, on Sunday in Gloucester.
USA scrum half Mike Petri during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match against Scotland in Leeds on Septem … Tactically, South Africa have stuck with what they know and while that might not always be everyone’s cup of tea, it has worked for them but there have also been a few gems unearthed in the wake of injuries.
South Africa-born scrumhalf Niku Kruger will make his World Cup debut in a team led by No. 8 Samu Manoa.
Habana could have scored the try that would have set the new record on 67th minute, but his handling let him down as he was about to dot down.
“Every team that’s been in this situation has had to do the same thing”.
Now 32 years old, the 1995 World Cup triggered his interest in the game.
7 October 2015 In the last of the Springbok’s Pool B Group match, South Africa faces off against the U.S. today.
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Yet those who had read the comments of former All Black World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry would have been nodding their heads in agreement as time and again the Boks built up what should have been try scoring opportunities but they were thrown away by poor passing and a general lack of cohesion.
