The Vodacom Blue Bulls’ Springbok wing Bryan Habana will be available for the remaining Tri-Nations matches as well as the test against Argentina even though he injured his shoulder in the third test in Perth on Saturday.
The Blue Bulls’ team doctor Org Strauss confirmed on Wednesday that Habana has some bruising on his AC joint, but his rehabilitation is on track and he will be eligible for the next test according to the Blue Bulls website.
The Springboks assemble again on Wednesday 30 July in Pretoria to prepare for the encounter against Argentina on 9 August at Coca-Cola Park (previously Ellis Park) in Johannesburg.
Habana, who is only 25, has already scored 31 tries for South Africa in his 42 tests.
To put this remarkable feat into perspective it is worth looking at the strike-rate of other Springbok legends.
Joost van der Westhuizen is currently the leading Springbok try scorer with his 38 tries in 89 tests.
Habana is in the second place followed by Breyton Paulse, Percy Montgomery, Jaque Fourie, Pieter Rossouw, James Small, Danie Gerber and Stefan Terblanche.
Paulse scored 26 tries in 64 tests, Montgomery is fourth with 25 in 98 tests while Fourie scored 22 in 38.
The Bulls’ backline coach Pieter Rossouw is in the sixth position with 21 tries in 43 tests, whilst Small has 20 in 47 tests.
The legendary “Doring van Despatch” Danie Gerber scored 19 tries in 24 tests and the tenth spot belongs to the Sharks’ Stefan Terblanche with 19 in 37 tests.
Other good news from the Bulls’ camp is that Tiger Mangweni and Pedrie Wannenburg, who both injured their ankles against the Boland Cavaliers will recover in time for the fixture in Brakpan against the Valke while players such as Wayne Julies, Dewald Potgieter and Heini Adams will also be available for selection.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Always the same injury performing the same action… a rest against the Argies for him and a few others… otherwise kiss the 3N good-bye!