MX23RW : Monday, November 4 18:01:03| >> :600:2654917:2654917:
Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Sep 26, 2015 at 4.45pm UK
 
South Africa
46-6
Samoa
Pietersen (14', 46', 77'), Burger (57'), Brits (70'), Habana (80')
FT

Bryan Habana: 'South Africa have to make big statement'

South Africa's all-time record try-scorer Bryan Habana says that the Springboks have to make a "big statement" against Samoa in Saturday's Rugby World Cup clash.

South Africa winger Bryan Habana has called on the Springboks to make a "big statement" in Saturday's Rugby World Cup Pool B clash against Samoa.

Two-time champions South Africa lost their World Cup opener for the first time ever on Saturday when Japan, who had only won once at the World Cup previously, stunned them in Brighton with a late try.

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer named his team for Saturday's match in Birmingham earlier today, and Habana was one of just seven players to keep their place.

"When we, as a Springboks side, do what we do well – which we didn't do well last weekend – we don't allow other teams to get the upper hand on us," Habana told reporters.

"I think other teams do get confidence when they have this feeling that you are beatable, and after our showing last week, people now do believe they can beat us.

"We have got a pretty big statement to make this Saturday in proving ourselves as one of the top-tier teams in world rugby."

By featuring against Japan, Habana equalled John Smit with 111 caps on the all-time Springboks appearance list. He will move into second on his own behind teammate Victor Matfield (124) when he plays on Saturday.

ID:248000: cacheID:248000:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2672:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
South Africa's hooker Adriaan Strauss runs through to score a try during a Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton community stadium in Brighton, south east England on September 19, 2015
Read Next:
Meyer makes eight South Africa changes
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!