Leigh Halfpenny v Bryan Habana

Cardiff. – It feels like just yesterday that Bryan Habana got his opportunity for the Springboks against the world’s best wings.

Habana enjoyed a rapid rise to the top in world rugby and now finds himself in the firing line of a 19-year-old upstart.

Leigh Halfpenny is making his debut for Wales in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and is talking a good game.

“I’ve been told not to worry about Habana and I won’t. The pressure is actually on him because he’ll be up against a rookie,” said Halfpenny.

“Habana is a wonderful player, but I’m going to enjoy myself and hopefully outsmart him. It will be fantastic if I can do something special against him,” added the Cardiff Blues winger.

It’s not just the opportunity of playing against Habana that Halfpenny finds mouthwatering.

“Nothing can be better than playing against the world champions. It can’t get much more difficult than that,” said Halfpenny.

Habana knows little about Halfpenny. “I read in the newspapers he has a good season behind him. There are a bunch of his club teammates in the Welsh side. To have a player like Jamie Roberts on your inside makes it easier. We haven’t seen much of him (Halfpenny), but we’re sure to find out,” he said.

Habana knows all about Wales’ other wing, Shane Williams.

Williams had the Boks’ defence at sixes and sevens earlier this year and is among the nominees for the IRB player of the year award.

“Shane is having a great year,” Habana said of Williams, who has scored a record 43 tries for his country.

“He was in good form in Wales’ Grand Slam triumph in the Six Nations, then against us in June and now in the club competitions. He is a worthy nominee for the IRB player of the year award.”