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“Records are made to be broken and hopefully it does not stop here!â€
That was the reaction from the world’s top wing Bryan Habana on Saturday night after his 38th Test try equalled Joost van der Westhuizen’s try-scoring record for the Springboks.
Van der Westhuizen scored his 38 tries in 89 Tests as scrumhalf from 1993 to 2003.
Habana played his 60th Test on the wing in South Africa’s 55-11 win over Italy.
He made his Test debut in 2004 and celebrated his 27th birthday earlier this month, which points to more tries being on the way.
“I am hugely indebted to my team-mates and the coaches that picked me. Without them those 38 tries would not have happened. The standards I set for myself aren’t really about the 38 tries. I view my contribution to the team as more important,†said Habana.
“It’s obviously great to cross the line. I have only played 60 Tests and hopefully I can push through to 70, 80 or even 90 and still score a few tries.â€
Habana was able to comfortably finish for his try, but earlier in the match got a brilliant off-load to Morné Steyn to create the flyhalf’s second try.
“Morné said afterwards that I gave him one and he gave me one. I went to look for some work to see if I could get the ball in the outside channel. Fortunately I was in the right place at the right time.â€
Habana was also the senior partner in the back three, where Gio Aplon started a Test at fullback for the first time and Jean de Villiers played out of position on the right wing.
“My role goes much further than just scoring the tries and there was a lot of responsibility on my shoulders as the most experienced player in the back three.â€
Habana said the last four weeks had not been the easiest for the Boks.
“We could not get rhythm in Witbank. A lot of changes were made and we could not really establish combinations. Hopefully we can get together as a team and defend our crown as Tri-Nations champions.â€
Well done to Habana. Really puts Joost's record into perspective! Amazing for a scrum-half.
