Lions centre Bryan Habana, the surprise inclusion in Jake White’s Springbok squad, said on Thursday that he is struggling to keep his feet on the ground after getting ”the call”.
”This was very unexpected,” said an overjoyed Habana just hours after hearing of his call-up to the Springbok squad for home Tri-Nations Tests against New Zealand and Australia. ”I’m still coming down from cloud nine. This is such an honour.”
”I thought perhaps by the end of 2005 or maybe in 2006 I might get my chance [to play for the Springboks], but for it to happen on August 5 2004 is unbelievable.”
Habana, like most talented young rugby players, always dreamed of pulling on a Bok jersey, but he is a talent that has been earmarked from an early age.
”I just never thought it would happen so soon,” he said.
Habana, a product of King Edward School in Johannesburg, played for the Lions at under-16 and under-19 level and also played Craven Week — all in the number-nine jersey.
The 21-year-old cites a change from scrumhalf to outside centre in 2003 as the boost his career needed.
”I was getting too big to play scrumhalf and after some assessment tests it was decided that I should try outside centre. The move has definitely been a contributing factor.”
Indeed, those tests did not lie and Habana has been a scourge for opposition defences with his strong running style and eye for a gap this season.
The likeable Habana has been in tremendous form of late for his province, the Lions, in the Currie Cup — and White’s gesture is more than deserved. He also played in the Renegades team during the build-up to the Super 12.
Bernie, Habana’s father, has been ”the backbone” behind the elusive midfielder’s rise to prominence, says the newest Bok.
”He has not missed a single game of mine for as long as I can remember. When I played for the Bok Sevens in New Zealand, he flew over. And when I played for the under-21s in Scotland he was there.”
All eyes will now be on Habana on Saturday when the Lions clash with the Pumas at Ellis Park.
”It’s going to very important to play well to prove to Jake that his faith in me is not misplaced. It has been made easier because I’ve been playing with talented guys like Doppies [la Grange] and Gcobani Bobo. They have helped me a lot.” — Sapa