Habana to make Toulon bow

Toulon - South African winger Bryan Habana will make his French Top 14 debut next weekend despite being on international duty with the Springboks, the Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal said Friday.

Habana, signed by the European champions in the summer, was only expected to make his Toulon bow in October once his Rugby Championship commitments ended.

But the four-nation tournament, which also involves New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, takes a two-week break after this weekend and Boudjellal said Habana will take advantage of the window to play against Grenoble in the Top 14 on August 31.

"Bryan will play at Grenoble and it'll be a great gift for the Grenoble treasurer," said Boudjellal after Toulon crushed Racing-Metro 41-14 on Friday.

"Bryan is paid by the club, it's normal that he comes just like all the staff if he is asked."