SARU congratulates Habana

Habana’s second try against Samoa, in the 58th minute of the Springboks’ 56-23 victory at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, saw him become only the sixth player in the history of the game to reach 50 Test tries.

“This is an achievement all South Africans can be immensely proud of,” said Hoskins on Monday.

“Since making his Springbok debut in 2004, Bryan has been an inspiration on and off the field and it is very well-deserved that his name will forever live in the annals of the game as the first Springbok to reach this special milestone and a man who set a mark that will take a very special player to eclipse.”

Daisuke Ohata of Japan is the most prolific Test try-scorer with 69 five-pointers in 58 Tests. He is followed by Australia’s David Campese (64 in 101 Tests), Shane Williams of Wales (60 in 91 Tests for Wales and the British & Irish Lions), Hirotoki Onozawa of Japan (55 in 80 Tests) and Rory Underwood (50 in 91 Tests for England and the British & Irish Lions).

Another Springbok who reached a special milestone during the recently completed Castle Lager Incoming Series was flyhalf Morné Steyn, who became only the second South African to reach 500 Test points.

Steyn finished the series as the top points-scorer with 44 (one try, nine conversions, seven penalty goals), which pushed his overall tally for the Springboks up to 530 points. Former Stormers fullback Percy Montgomery, with 893 points, remains South Africa’s leading Test points-scorer.

Habana and Springbok centre JJ Engelbrecht were the top try-scorers in the series with three each, while Bjorn Basson (wing) and Francois Louw (flank) each scored two tries during the three June Tests.

“The Springboks enjoyed three good weeks and we are very proud of all these achievements, as well as the results,” said Hoskins.

“I would like to congratulate Heyneke Meyer, Jean de Villiers and every member of the squad and team management on what they achieved and how they achieved it in the last three weeks.”