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It`s no Habana roadshow

Bryan Habana on the run

Bryan Habana may steal the headlines, but the electric winger reckons team-mates Juan Smith and Fourie du Preez are the stars of the South Africa team that will take on England in Saturday's World Cup Final.

Flanker Smith and scrum-half Du Preez were, as expected, selected in an unchanged starting XV - named by head coach Jake White for the Paris showdown.

The pair often form part of the supply line for Habana, who has lit up the tournament with his competition-high eight tries from the left wing.

But the 24-year-old is quick to pour lavish praise on his unheralded colleagues.

"I think Juan has had a great tournament and has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years," said Habana.

"He has come out of Schalk Burger's shadow and the momentum we get from him is unbelievable.

"I was surprised he was not there in the IRB nominations for player of the year."

On Du Preez, who ran England ragged in the 36-0 win over the world champions in the group stages, Habana added: "The calmness Fourie brings to our team is equivalent to the calmness Jonny Wilkinson brings to the England team.

"In terms of completeness, he has grown into the best scrum-half I have ever seen grace a rugby field."

Habana has attracted top billing for the Springboks this week, and is quite happy to see England regard him as the danger man.

"This match is not just about Bryan Habana," he said.

"I don't mind if I am a marked man - that means they are not worrying too much about the other 14 players in the team, who are just as talented.

"I don't think I am the star. There are 30 guys in this squad and without all of us, this campaign would not have been a success."

South Africa will start as favourites to repeat their exploits of 1995, the only other time they have won rugby's biggest prize.

But Habana feels the holders have threats all over the pitch.

"We know it will be a tactical battle. They have an unbelievable front five, who have been dominating that department over the last few years.

"And they have got one of the best fly-halves in the business in Jonny.

"Then they have Jason Robinson, who I have the world of respect for. He has been able to make a difference in the last four weeks.

"We have analysed them but it's about what happens on the day."