Springboks Legend Bryan Habana Reveals What He Regrets About the 2007 Rugby World Cup Win
- Springbok legend Bryan Habana opened up about two moments from the 2007 Rugby World Cup that have stayed with him
- Habana equalled Jonah Lomu's single-tournament try-scoring record of 8 tries before the final, where he failed to cross the line
- The 43-year-old also addressed the famous moment USA winger Takudzwa Ngwenya beat him to score during the pool stage
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Bryan Habana, widely regarded as the greatest winger in Springbok history, has opened up about two moments from the 2007 Rugby World Cup that he still looks back on with a measure of regret, despite ending the tournament with a winner's medal.
Speaking on the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict podcast alongside former teammates Hanyani Shimange, Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger, Habana reflected candidly on what it felt like to be scoreless in the final after a dominant run through the tournament.
**Habana's Try-Scoring Drought in Paris Final**
Habana had been in blistering form throughout the competition. He matched Chester Williams by crossing for four tries against Samoa in the opening fixture and, by the semi-final against Argentina, had equalled Jonah Lomu's record of eight tries in a single World Cup campaign.
Going into the final against England, individual honours were also within reach, with Habana in contention for World Player of the Year. He admitted that finishing the tournament with another try felt like the perfect way to cap his contribution.
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"You've done that from a try-scoring perspective in the first six games, and you want to do it in the last," Habana said. "But it was just a final where try-scoring was elusive for all of us."
He described the match as scrappy, noting that South Africa never truly sparked on attack despite remaining in control throughout. "We didn't really assert our dominance against an England side that had come from nowhere," he said.
**Ngwenya Try Still Brings Good-Natured Ribbing**
The second moment Habana revisited was rather more light-hearted. During the pool stage, USA winger Takudzwa Ngwenya produced one of the tournament's most memorable individual efforts, burning past Habana on the outside to score.
The 43-year-old acknowledged the incident with good humour, admitting he had perhaps committed to his dive a fraction too soon. He also revealed that he gave Ngwenya his jersey after the match, only for the American winger to apparently sell it on.
"A guy like that, on the biggest stage, in the biggest moment, against one of the best players in the world, just put on the afterburners," Habana said. "I have to say, fair play — I was properly eating dust."
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Source: Briefly News
