Bryan Habana’s year just keeps getting better and better but the South Africa wing is hoping the best is yet to come.
The 24-year-old already had an inkling that this was going to be a special season when he helped the Bulls become the first South African team to win the Super 14, scoring a spectacular last-minute try that decided the final.
His form during the Tri-Nations was solid but he saved his best for the World Cup and, with a bit of luck, he could end up as the biggest individual winner of all, though he is reluctant to talk about personal milestones.
”As I said at the start of the tournament, the tournament’s not going to be about any one individual,” said Habana, who could finish as the tournament’s leading tryscorer.
”It’s about the Springboks team going out there and representing a nation and we’ve been able to do that in the last six weeks and hopefully we can do it for the next two,” he told reporters.
It goes without saying that his greatest ambition is to win the World Cup and if the bookmakers are right, Habana is in the right team.
The Springboks showed what they are capable of when they whipped defending champions England 36-0 in the pool stage then were hurriedly promoted to favourites after New Zealand and Australia were knocked out in the quarterfinals.
Their semifinal opponents are Argentina, with the winner to play either France or England in the final.
Like all his teammates, Habana has been loathe to even think beyond Argentina — even though the odds are heavily stacked in South Africa’s favour.
The Pumas have never beaten South Africa and have already exceeded their own expectations by reaching the semifinals for the first time.
Individual honours
Habana is in line for two major individual honours. He was one of just five players nominated for the IRB player of the year, to be announced in Paris on October 21, and could finish as the tournament’s top tryscorer.
He already has six touchdowns to his name — including a record-equalling four in South Africa’s opening game against Samoa — just one behind the leader, Australian wing Drew Mitchell, who cannot add to his tally after the Wallabies’ exit.
Habana said he was humbled just to make the shortlist for the world’s best player of the year but his only thoughts at the moment were about helping the team win the World Cup.
”I am not really worried about any awards at the moment. We have got a big game against Argentina at the Stade de France,” he said.
”Every guy in this team has got a contribution that he makes to the overall team. I am the guy who gives all the energy on the field and my role is to cross the try line.”
Habana’s lightning pace and quick reflexes make him dangerous from any situation and his teammate, number eight Danie Rossouw, said there was a touch of the magician about him.
”It’s the second time he has been nominated and it’s always a privilege to play with a guy like him,” Rossouw said.
”It’s unbelievable when there is nothing on and he just takes the ball and just makes magic.” – Reuters