Bryan Habana didn't hesitate when naming his toughest rugby opponent
Today at 04:59 AM
Springbok legend and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner Bryan Habana has unveiled the five toughest opponents he faced throughout his illustrious rugby career.
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Drawing from various Q&A sessions over the years, including one with Canterbury NZ, here's his definitive top five:
5. Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand)
Bio: Joe Rokocoko, nicknamed "Rocket Man," was a lethal All Blacks winger who earned 68 caps between 2003 and 2015. Known for his electric pace and dazzling footwork, he scored 46 tries for New Zealand, becoming one of their all-time leading try-scorers.
Habana's Take: "He could make something happen out of nothing and was always a threat on attack. His handling skills were just sublime as well."
4. Shane Williams (Wales)
Bio: Shane Williams, Wales' all-time top try-scorer, earned 87 caps between 2000 and 2011. Standing at just 5'7", Williams defied expectations with his agility, blistering pace, and incredible balance, securing the World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2008.
Habana's Take: "Shane is a fantastic player who has given rugby some very exciting moments and it was always a good measuring stick whenever you came up against him. If ever there was direct correlation to the phrase 'dynamite comes in small packages,' Shane was definitively it. His fleet-footedness, pace, and game-changing ability made him one of the best and most exciting wings the game has ever seen."
3. Bakkies Botha (South Africa)
Bio: Bakkies Botha, one of rugby's most feared enforcers, earned 85 caps for the Springboks from 2002 to 2014. Known for his physicality and uncompromising style, he played a crucial role in South Africa's 2007 World Cup triumph and enjoyed a highly successful stint at Toulon.
Habana's Take: "I was lucky to play with Bakkies for South Africa and in Toulon. However, before that, he'd caught me a few times and it was like being hit by a bus. A player who carried his team on and off the field."
2. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
Bio: England's World Cup-winning fly-half, Jonny Wilkinson, is widely regarded as one of the greatest number 10s in rugby history. Renowned for his pinpoint kicking and game management, Wilkinson amassed 1,179 points in 91 Test matches and famously secured England's 2003 World Cup victory with a last-minute drop goal.
Habana's Take: "It's always between him and Carter for most people, but to me, Jonny is the measuring stick that all number 10s are compared to. I was very lucky to spend a few years playing with him."
1. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Bio: Widely considered one of the greatest rugby players of all time, Richie McCaw captained the All Blacks to two Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015. Over his career, he earned 148 caps, redefining the role of the modern openside flanker with his unmatched breakdown skills and leadership.
Habana's Take: "I think Richie McCaw has changed the way rugby is played."
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