Sunday 10 June 2018 08:33, UK
South Africa rugby legend Bryan Habana feels unbelievably proud of the Springboks after an epic encounter ended in a 42-39 victory against England at Ellis Park.
The Boks produced one of the great comebacks in recent history and fought back valiantly after being shocked early on. The result means four consecutive Test losses for England heaping more pressure on Eddie Jones.
While South Africa will be thrilled with the comeback there is a lot to work on and Habana, who won 124 caps for South Africa, hailed the efforts of three overseas-based players in Faf De Klerk, Willie Le Roux and Duane Vermeulen.
"After the first 20 minutes there would have been a lot of worried faces in and around South Africa, but that comeback was absolutely phenomenal," Habana told Sky Sports.
"Faf De Klerk was absolutely immense in the turnaround, Willie Le Roux with his roaming play and Duane Vermeulen was monumental at the breakdown which caused England a lot of problems.
"There wasn't too many turnovers at the breakdown from an English point of view and that's where the experience of playing in the Northern Hemisphere has benefited those three players specifically.
"That said it was a one to twenty-three man impact. Each and every player had to have some sort of a contribution for a comeback like that."
Both sides scored five tries apiece in the dramatic contest, a game that ebbed and flowed and Habana couldn't hide his delight as South Africa held on for the win.
"I am unbelievably happy for the likes of S'busio Nkosi and Aphiwe Dyantyi scoring on debut and making an impact. A lot of work still needs to be done but we'll take the positives and work on the negatives."
It was a historic day for South African rugby with Siya Kolisi becoming the country's first black captain and Habana was impressed: "Siya still needed to go out there and produce the goods. I am unbelievably proud of the way he stepped up from a rugby point view, first and foremost that was top of the agenda.
"Then his leadership abilities keeping the side calm and Siya put his hand up without a doubt today.
"This is a monumental moment in South African rugby history and I couldn't be more proud. Hopefully this will be the start of a fantastic build up not only through the rest of the year but through 2019 and to the World Cup"
"South Africa and Rassie Erasmus will know there is a lot to work on. We'll take the win. We are all expecting a turn in the chapter and this was a fantastic way to start it."
The next chapter starts next week in Bloemfontein where Eddie Jones' England will be desperate to level the three-match series.
