News

Habana on the mend

Thursday 24th July 2008

Deep impact: The tackle that cut short Habana's match in Perth

Springbok winger Bryan Habana will be available for the remaining Tri-Nations matches as well as the one-off Test against Argentina after suffering an injury to his shoulder in South Africa's 9-16 loss to Australia in Perth on Saturday.

The Blue Bulls' team doctor Org Strauss confirmed that Habana has some bruising on his AC joint, but his rehabilitation is on track and he will be eligible for the next Test.

The Springboks assemble again on July 30 in Pretoria to prepare for the encounter against Argentina on August 9 at Coca-Cola Park (previously Ellis Park) in Johannesburg.

Habana, who is only 25, has already scored 31 tries for South Africa in his 42 Tests.

To put this remarkable feat into perspective it is worth looking at the strike-rate of other Springbok legends.

Joost van der Westhuizen is currently the leading Springbok try-scorer with his 38 tries in 89 Tests.

Habana is in the second place followed by Breyton Paulse, Percy Montgomery, Jaque Fourie, Pieter Rossouw, James Small, Danie Gerber and Stefan Terblanche.

Paulse scored 26 tries in 64 Tests, Montgomery is fourth with 25 in 98 Tests while Fourie scored 22 in 38 appearances.

The Bulls' backline coach Pieter Rossouw is in sixth position with 21 tries in 43 Tests, whilst Small has 20 in 47 Tests.

The legendary Danie Gerber scored 19 tries in 24 Tests and the tenth spot belongs to the Sharks' full-back Terblanche with 19 in 37 Tests.