Tuesday 24 April 2018 22:40, UK
Former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad paid tribute to the retiring Bryan Habana, hailing him as the greatest Springbok wing to ever play the game.
Habana announced his retirement from all rugby in an Instagram post on Tuesday, and will hang up his boots at the end of the current season.
The electric winger, who played 124 Tests for South Africa, underwent knee surgery last year and has struggled to make an impact at Toulon this season.
Skinstad, who was part of South Africa's 2007 World Cup winning squad along with Habana, says that rugby is losing one of its finest players.
"I think it is a sad day when a player of his quality calls it quits," Skinstad told Sky Sports.
"He has always been a guy that's done the right thing at the right time, so for me it is a mixture of emotions, happy for him because he is ready to go on to the next part of his career, but sad for him and rugby and the wonderful journey they have had together."
The winger started his career in the Gauteng at the Golden Lions in 2003. In 2005 he moved to the Bulls, who were the dominant franchise in South Africa at the time. The Pretoria-based side won the 2007 Super 14 final against the Sharks 20-19, with Habana scoring a last-minute try in the final to seal the victory.
The Springbok stalwart then spent four years in Cape Town with the Stormers before sealing a move to Toulon. The 34-year-old unfortunately has had his shares of injuries in France but his contribution has been immense. During his time at Toulon they won the Top 14 in 2014 as well as the European Champions Cup in 2014 and 2015.
His longevity and continued success was no coincidence with Skinstad stating: "Bryan has always been the consummate professional. He was an outstanding trainer, worker in the gym, and in positional play.
"He worked on absolutely every detail and you could see that in the way that he played. He was a huge contributor in every single team that he played for."
Habana was part of the Springbok side that defeated England in the 2007 World Cup final as well as the all-conquering 2009 Springbok side that won the Tri-Nations and the British & Irish Lions series.
It was not only team awards that came his way, Habana was named IRB World Player of the Year in 2007, and SA Rugby Player of the Year in 2005, 2007 and 2009.
The No 11 always seemed to save his best for Rugby World Cups and he scored a record-equalling eight tries during the 2007 tournament, including four against Samoa in Paris. The Springbok flyer jointly holds the record of 15 tries in all World Cup games with All Black legend Jonah Lomu.
"I would imagine being tied leading record try scorer in Rugby World Cups would be right up there for him but he is a measured guy," added Skinstad.
"In any game where he has done his own individual bit to win a game. I remember him literally beating Australia on his own with a breakout try from his 22 with a kick ahead.
"He would be happy with any game where the game has been won but where he has made an outstanding contribution and, in a career like his, there were very, very many."
Habana has etched his name in the history books and is one of the greats. In an era when the word legend is bandied about we leave it to fellow World Cup winner Skinstad with the closing shot: "For me, Bryan Habana is probably the greatest Springbok wing ever to play the game.
"It will take a lot to beat his achievement in Test Match rugby in try scoring and ability to contribute to the team. I can't really explain what a legend he is."
