An hour with Bryan Habana

Without any shadow of a doubt the greatest achievement of Bernie and Faith Habana is the way in which they have raised Bryan (and his brother and sister). He is not a study in fake sincerity or modesty and is a truly well mannered, decent human being who just happens to be a superstar.

Regardless of how old I get or how many scrapes I get into, I will always be eternally grateful to Bryan Gary Habana (named after two Manchester United players which immediately raises question marks about his father Bernie’s taste in football teams).

Prior to the Super 14 final between the Sharks and the Blue Bulls, I’d been having a full go at Sharks supporting members of the South African Police Service about the thrashing they were about to receive.

Of course, when Francois Steyn missed the conversion to the Shark’s try and left the Bulls trailing 13-19 with about a minute to go, I was frantically preparing myself to vloek those mickey-taking cops and warn them that any further calls about the Super 14 would be reported to their seniors as police brutality.

They were probably all sitting there with my number punched into their cellphones ready to let me have it as soon as the final whistle blew.

Then it all changed — Bernie and Faith Habana’s little boy took off like a rocket and scored the winning try to send the best fans in the world wild with delight and the Sharks and their supporters in the police grasping for excuses: “Yeth but if Bwian wath thent off for hith tackle on Perthy…yah blah yakkety shmakkety!”

I remained dignified and downplayed the victory. I simply asked whether teams like the Blue Bulls shouldn’t just be given a berth in the final each year and let the other sub-standard 13 teams play-off to decide who gets to meet them. Perhaps a few warm-up games for the Bulle against opponents of the same class — like the Springboks for example.

Anyhow, we are all thrilled that South Africa currently own the World Cup and Super 14 titles, which is in no small measure down to Bryan and his brilliance during 2007.

He delivered one breathtaking performance after another, culminating in his being named IRB Player of the Year.

So I figured, why not pop in and chat to the Blue Bulls and Springbok winger and find out a bit about the man who gets ’em dancing in the aisles down Loftus way?

I met him on Wednesday at his parents home which bears testimony to Bryan’s achievements on the field. It is full of trophies and pictures, which speak volumes about the Habana’s pride in their son.

What speaks louder is the wonderful down-to-earth and well mannered son they have brought up. He greeted us warmly upon our arrival and even made us coffee instead of ordering it. The superstar of world rugby? Perhaps more so.

The interview was partially conducted with Janine Viljoen, the love of Bryan’s life.

Michael Trapido: Have you always played rugby?

Bryan Habana: No, I never played at primary school. I was a pupil at Meredale in the south of Johannesburg. My love for the game grew out of watching Francois Pienaar and the World Cup in 1995.

MT: So when did you start playing?

BH: I went to King Edward VII School and started in the under-14 G team. (Love to know who his opponent was that day). In those days I played at scrumhalf. I went on to make the Gauteng Craven Week B side.

MT: When were you born?

BH: In 1983.

MT: Twenty-four-years old? Incredible achievements for somebody so young.

BH: Thank you.

MT: You are fairly religious aren’t you? (Bernie’s Christmas tree still occupies pride of place in the lounge).

BH: I am. I recognise that I have been blessed from above and that my abilities are owed to the man upstairs. (It’s a single storey so that can’t mean Bernie). I am a committed Christian.

MT: What are your ambitions within the game?

BH: My next big goal is to be a part of the Springbok team to face the British Lions on their tour to South Africa, to retain the Super 14 and win the Currie Cup.

MT: Would you go into coaching when you finish playing?

BH: No. I’d definitely put back into the game in any way I can but the chances are I’ll be in business. My dad is a successful businessman and I’d join him and finish my BSc from RAU in IT. I am about four subjects short of qualifying.

MT: So you started off at scrumhalf?

BH: Correct. I later moved to outside centre and landed up on the wing. (He then waffles on about the impact that the Lions had on his career which in all honesty, I cannot include here. There are children who read these articles).

MT: Who did you make your Springbok debut against?

BH: It was in 2004 against England at Twickenham … 60 000 people. England, the world champions, [were] leading 32-9 when I came on. It was an incredible moment which was made even more special when I scored with my first touch of the ball. Even though we lost 32-16 it was a great experience. Mind you, I do remember it being very cold.

MT: You then scored two tries at Murrayfield the following week …
BH: That’s right, although Murrayfield was quite disappointing — I’d played there before and to see the empty seats and more than half the fans being South Africans it was a bit of a let-down.

MT: How would you describe yourself?

BH: Fun-loving, yet responsible.

MT: What do you love doing when you go out?

BH: I used to love visiting shopping centres but these days it’s not that easy. I guess I use up that energy playing golf.

MT: Are you guys back in training?

BH: Yes, we reported back on the third of January.

MT: Is it tough?

BH: After a month’s rest it can be hard on the muscles but you get back into it. They check our weight, our fat ratios and if we are not where we should be we are given special programmes.

MT: Are you happy with your new coach?

BH: No problem. He is a good coach and Heyneke Meyer put some decent programmes into place which will keep the Bulls on track.

MT: Springbok coach?

BH: Peter De Villiers is a fine coach and he has had success at age-group level.

MT: How did you and Janine meet?

BH: We met at RAU where everybody used to call me Tiger. She never knew that my name was Bryan until one evening we went to a Lion’s awards function. She had to sit with my folks. When I was announced as the Under-20 Player of the Year and I was receiving the award she didn’t applaud. When my dad asked her why she never clapped it emerged that until that moment she never knew my name was Bryan.

MT: The love of your life?

BH: Golf, [smiling] then Janine [which earns him a punch on the arm].

MT: How do you see the future of South Africa?

BH:/b> Fantastic, but there are issues such as crime which have to be dealt with.

MT: Are you aware of being a role model?

BH: Very much so. I ensure that I conduct myself accordingly.

MT: How do you see the issue of racism?

BH: I have been very fortunate in not encountering it so far but I genuinely see myself as a South African rather than belonging to a particular race. One particular event sticks in my mind. It was a Springbok golf day and I had hit my ball into the bushes as usual and an Afrikaans family came up to me. They told me their five-year-old daughter was a big fan — she then ran up to me and gave me a huge hug.

MT: Do you play any sports besides golf?

BH: I used to play my dad tennis but for some reason I have never managed to beat him. I also enjoy following soccer — Manchester United and Orlando Pirates and the Titans and Proteas at cricket. I’m friendly with AB de Villiers. My sporting hero without doubt is Tiger Woods who has been at the top for so long.

MT: Favourite movie?

BH: On Any Given Sunday (Pacino) and the one with Cuba Gooding Junior as a diver — Men of Honour.

MT: Actor/actress?

BH: Denzel Washington and Kate Beckinsale

MT: Music?

BH: I have a general taste I don’t fancy anyone in particular. As long as it’s easy listening.

MT: Trip?

BH: Seychelles with Janine.

MT: Activity?

BH: My PlayStation with the Tiger Woods game.

MT: Food?

BH: Anything that my mother makes.

MT: Do you have any brothers or sisters?

BH: An older brother Bradley who works at Absa and a sister Alycia who is studying B.Com accounting at RAU.

MT: Who were your rugby heroes?

BH: Joost van der Westhuizen and George Gregan at scrumhalf. Brian O’ Driscoll of Ireland whom I researched while playing centre.

MT: If you were stuck on a deserted island, which Springboks would you allow to stay with you?

BH: Jean De Villiers and Jacques Fourie have to be there because they are very funny. Wynand Olivier is also a must because he’s my best buddy.

MT: What language do you speak at home, because your English and Afrikaans are immaculate?

BH: We speak English at home. When I went on an under-16 tour to Namibia and there wasn’t one sign in English I realised that if I want to make a career in rugby it would be an advantage to improve my Afrikaans.

MT: Final question … your thoughts on Eddie Jones?

BH: He played a significant part in improving us on what we did. He did not introduce Australian type changes but rather aimed at bettering our own game. He also helped take some of the pressure off Jake White. When the tournament was over the team decided to present Eddie with a team blazer even though the powers that be had thought otherwise. I gave Eddie my blazer. I have great respect for him.

MT: Thank you for giving of your time.

BH: My pleasure.