 | | Bryan Habana says there are many coloured players coming through South Africa's ranks |
Bryan Habana, South Africa's four-try star from the 59-7 demolition of Samoa in their World Cup opener, claims that further displays like that will see more coloured or black players take up rugby union rather than the popular sport of football.
The 24-year-old winger, whose four tries saw him join Breyton Paulse in joint second place in the best South African scorers rankings with 26 tries, added that contrary to popular belief there are a lot of coloured players coming through the ranks. "A lot of coloured South African players are coming through, it's a work in progress," said Habana, whose first name was a tribute by his father Bernie to former England football captain Bryan Robson. "It's up to players like myself to go out on the field and show there is talent in South Africa." Habana, whose great, great, great, grandfather emigrated from Spain in 1871, said that the issue of race and colour in rugby was not for the players or management to deal with, something which coach Jake White has battled since he took over in 2004, sometimes driving him to the verge of quitting. "I've never seen colour as an issue, whether you're white, pink, black or blue it doesn't matter." Bryan Habana, South African winger "As players we just go on to the field and perform, we leave the politics to the politicians. "My role in the team is to score tries and I like scoring tries. If I make a contribution to what is a great team effort then I'm happy." Big Pool A clash For coach White there was no doubting how important Habana was to the team as they approach Friday's crucial Pool A clash with world champions England. "He is the type of player that any side would love to have," said White. "He has everything, pace, passing ability and a nose for the tryline." Habana's ability to score tries will be heavily tested on Friday against the English, with the Bulls star accepting that scoring one try let alone four will be much more difficult than against Samoa. "England are going to throw something totally different at us," said the winger who has been capped 29 times. "England have experience, they have a lot of guys from 2003, champion players. "They are going to offer something different to Samoa, it's going to be a lot tougher for 80 minutes." As for the chance to surpass Paulse into sole second place on the South African try scorers list and going for Joost van der Westhuizen's all-time record of 38, Habana was typically down to earth. "Records are there to be broken."
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