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Habana on cusp of breaking try-scoring record

Tuesday 20 September 2011, 2:39PM

By Rugby World Cup 2011

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Wing Bryan Habana is one try away from Springbok record
Wing Bryan Habana is one try away from Springbok record Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011

TAUPO

Wing Bryan Habana is on the verge of becoming South Africa's most prolific try-scorer, but he's been happy to bide his time in the interests of the team.

Habana has scored 38 Test tries and shares the record with former scrum half Joost van der Westhuizen.

In Auckland on Thursday, Habana will have a golden opportunity to break the record against winless Namibia, who conceded 12 tries in total in their Pool D clashes with Fiji and Samoa.

"I've always said with my time at the Springboks, it's never going to be about Bryan Habana the individual," the 28-year-old said at his team hotel in Taupo on Tuesday.

"It's about what I can bring to the team. Whether that be by leadership, whether that be by scoring tries, whether that be by making cross-cover defence tackles, it's about making a contribution.

"If that 39th try comes, it comes, and if the Springboks win 150-0 without me scoring a try and I've contributed, then I'll be happy. I'd love to contribute by scoring tries, but I'll do whatever I can."

Habana is making his comeback from a knee injury suffered in the defending champions' 17-16 opening win over Wales.

He missed the 49-3 win over Fiji in Wellington on Saturday night when the Springboks scored six tries.

"I think, looking at the game against Fiji, I wouldn't have minded playing," said Habana, who took part in all seven of South Africa’s matches at RWC 2007, scoring eight tries.

"It's been a bit frustrating watching the team do so well. It was probably the right decision not to be chosen last week. It feels good to be back in the team again."

Habana is not the devastating wing of 2007 when he was crowned as IRB International Player of the Year.

He scored 30 tries in his first 34 Tests but only eight in his past 37 internationals.

Nevertheless, coach Peter de Villiers is delighted to have him back in the starting XV.

"Bryan brings some energy to the team. He's a bundle of energy. I'm glad to give him a run again," de Villiers said.

De Villiers was adamant Habana would put the team's goals ahead of the personal achievement of breaking the try-scoring record.

"If you can give me one player on this team that will put his interests above the interests of the team, then today I will personally send him home," de Villiers said.

"If he gets his record-breaking try and we lose the game, what does it mean to the team, and what does it mean at all to be here?

"We all understand why we're here, and we'll work toward that common goal."