Habana set for mentorship role

Cape Town - Bryan Habana has won the Rugby World Cup, the Rugby Championship, the Currie Cup, Super Rugby, the French Top 14 title, a Heineken Cup and he has also been victorious on a British and Irish Lions tour. 

At 32-years-old he has won just about all there is to win ... and now he has his sights set on an Olympic gold medal. 

Habana was on Wednesday included in Neil Powell's 34-man training squad for the 2015/16 season alongside damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Lwazi Mvovo, Cheslin Kolbe and Cornal Hendricks in an announcement that was big news for the Blitzboks. 

And, says Powell, having Habana involved in the setup can only be a good thing as preparations begin for Rio 2016.

"I think Bryan is really a quality guy whose got a good personality, a good culture and I think he will really fit into our system," said Powell.

"I’m really excited to get a player in the caliber of Bryan into our system … not just as a player but sometimes also aiding us in the coaching as well with individual players and what it takes for them to be successful in the big competitions."

Powell added that the players joining from 15s sides would have to be ready to make some major adjustments. 

"It’s two different games. Especially the defence in Sevens is the most difficult part to get right because we have to cover so much more space defensively," he said.

"There might be guys with aerial skills that are better than what our players have, there might be guys that are a lot more physical, there might be guys that have better passing skills … so I can’t really say as a group that’s what they’re going to bring, it depends on all the individual players."

The first leg of the Sevens World Series takes place in Dubai over December 4 and 5. 

Springbok Sevens training squad:

Cecil Afrika, Tim Agaba, Rayno Benjamin, Kyle Brown, Branco du Preez, Carel du Preez, Damian de Allende, Stephan Dippenaar, Chris Dry, Juan de Jongh, Justin Geduld, Warrick Gelant, Lungelo Gosa, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Francois Hougaard, Frankie Horne, Dewald Human, Ryan Kankowski, Werner Kok, Cheslin Kolbe, Jaco Kriel, Oupa Mohoje, Lwazi Mvovo, Sibahle Maxwane, Ruhan Nel, Sandile Ngcobo, Sphamandla Ngcobo, Dylan Sage, Seabelo Senatla, Philip Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Rosco Speckman, Warren Whiteley