14 Things you don’t know about Bryan Habana

1.  Full name Bryan Gary Habana

2.  Bryan Habana was born on the 12th June 1983 in Benoni, Gauteng Province

3.  Bryan Habana, developed by the Golden Lions and educated at King Edward VII School and Rand Afrikaans University (now known as the University of Johannesburg), made his first senior international appearances as a member of the South African Sevens side in the 2003–04 World Sevens Series.

4.  In 2005, he moved to the Blue Bulls. Following the 2005 Super 12 season, Bryan Habana was, as expected, included in the 2005 Springboks squad. He played on the left wing in South Africa’s opening match of 2005 against Uruguay, whom the Springboks defeated 134–3, with Habana scoring two tries

5.  Bryan Habana was named to the five-man shortlist for 2005 IRB World Player of the Year, and was also selected by SA Rugby as 2005 South Africa Player of the Year in 2005.

6.  In April 2007 Bryan Habana competed against a cheetah in a 100-meter race to help raise awareness of the imminent danger of the cheetah being classified as an endangered species, according to De Wildt officials. He lost, because cheetahs can run 70 mph, instead of 22 mph

7.  Bryan Habana was selected on the wing for the Springboks first game of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where he scored four tries in the 59–7 win over Samoa in Paris. He also scored two tries against Argentina in the semifinal, equalling Jonah Lomu’s record of 8 tries in one World Cup. He was a part of the world cup winning side contributing to the defeat of England in the 2007 final. Habana was awarded the IRB Player of the Year Award at the 2007 IRB Awards, held in Paris on 21 October. Habana, while claiming many accolades during this tournament, was also the victim of what was arguably the try of the tournament from USA winger Takudzwa Ngwenya.

8.  Bryan Habana had a mixed super 14 season. He was quiet on attack, but was a rock on defence, later he found his attacking form and finished the season second top try scorer, with 8 tries. This led to the Blue Bulls regaining their title as Champions of the Southern Hemisphere.

9.  Bryan Habana was SARU Player Of The Year: 2005, 2007 and 2012

10.  Bryan Habana received International Rugby Board Player Of The Year: 2007

11.  Bryan Habana received International Rugby Players’ Association’s Try of the Year: 2012

12.  Bryan Habana received Supersport Try of the year: 2007, 2012

13.  Bryan Habana was named after former Manchester United footballers Bryan Robson and Gary Bailey

14.  On 20 September 2009, Bryan Habana married his longtime girlfriend, Janine Viljoen, at Sorex estate’s chapel in Centurion. The wedding made headlines for its strict security policy. Guests were asked to leave their cameras and mobile phones outside, and no vehicles were allowed onto the estate.