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'Barren' Habana gets backing

Wellington - The fact that wing Bryan Habana has endured a barren try-scoring patch dating back to the second Test against Italy in June 2010, is no reason for concern, South Africa’s backline coach Dick Muir said on Thursday.

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Habana is the only backline player in the Springbok squad who has not been able to train with the rest of the team this week because of a hamstring injury.

He is currently the joint record holder of most tries scored in the green and gold, along with Joost van der Westhuizen.

If included in the team for the Springboks' upcoming game against Wales on Sunday, Habana will again be looking to become the sole holder of that title.

"He has been a bit frustrated this week by not being able to train full out and he’s certainly one of those players who puts in a lot of effort," Muir said.

"He has had up and down years and we have seen this outstanding player and that is what he wants to get back to. He’s really driven and for him it is not just about scoring tries; it is about the collective team effort.

"I don’t think it effects Brian, he’s played a lot of rugby, he’s a mature player, he’s set his standards and he just wants to get on the field."

Muir confirmed that Bakkies Botha will definitely not be considered for Sunday’s opening match.

“He (Botha) is so important to us for the remainder of the competition that we won’t take any chances with him. We will just take it week for week, but I think he will be out for this week unfortunately.”

The former Sharks mentor was however, confident that Habana, vice captain Victor Matfield and Schalk Burger would be fit to play.

The Springboks will be announcing their team on Friday.

Heading into the match Wales said that they are expecting the Boks to stick to their high-kick-and chase strategy.

Muir commented that they were right to anticipate that and that the Welsh fullback selected for Saturday’s match, will be tested.

At this stage Wales are giving veteran flyhalf Stephen Jones till the final minute to recover from a calf injury and should he not recover in time, either James Hook or youngster Rhys Priestland could be asked to wear the number 10 jersey.

Should Priestland start at flyhalf, Hook may have to slot in at fullback.

Muir said that if that were the case, the Springboks would have to make a few late adjustments to their game plan.

“It could effect us in a way tactically, but the style that we’ve played we’ve looked to give the ball a bit of air and he (Hook) may be collecting a few.”

Asked what threat the Boks have identified in among the Welsh backline players Muir said: “They’ve got some nice talent coming through. In the centres they seem to be chopping and changing and between 10 and 15 they’ve got quite a mix going there.

“We don’t know what team they will be selecting, but they have quite a number of threats in the backline.”

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