Stephen Nell

Cape Town – Bryan Habana may have salvaged a vital bonus point for the Stormers with his tackle on Will Genia last week, but the Springbok wing hopes for an eye-catching attacking performance against the Crusaders at Newlands on Friday night.

“I was fortunate to get my arm under the ball, but that’s all. It was good to be able to make a contribution, but hopefully I can do more than prevent tries from being scored and maybe score a few this weekend,” said Habana.

He has scored four tries in his 10 games for the Stormers, but it’s his work ethic rather than simply his ability to conjure up something magical that has really been impressive this year.

It’s for that reason that it was quite fitting for Habana to finish the Stormers’ wonder try against the Chiefs and also rescue a bonus point with his tackle in Brisbane.

“You are analysed so much these days that you will be completely isolated and won’t be able to make a contribution if you stay on your wing and don’t look for work,” said Habana.

“It’s important for me to live up to the standards that I set for myself so that I can be an example for young players.

“It’s also not about how hard Bryan Habana works. Sireli Naqelevuki is an unsung hero. He carries a number of defenders on his back and works hard off his wing.

“It’s good to have a work ethic, but it has to be seen in perspective. It’s only important if you do it for the team and not for yourself.

“Hopefully I can work hard in the next few weeks and make a contribution that helps the team achieve success.”

Habana won Super 14 titles with the Bulls in 2007 and 2009. That experience can be of immense value as the Stormers bid to make the semi-finals.

He believes the Stormers have enough experience among their senior players to be calm about the next few weeks.

“Schalk Burger and Jaque Fourie have experience of winning the World Cup, and Andries Bekker was involved in last year’s Tri-Nations,” said Habana.

“We have very good individuals and the one thing that really excited me about coming here was the team’s potential to be successful. We feed off one another and are led really well by Schalk.”

Of Habana’s four tries for the Stormers the one against the Chiefs was the most eye-catching, though he simply had to finish it off.

“I won’t mind walking two metres for a try 10 times in the year,” he said.

Stormers v Crusaders, Cape Town - 19:10

Stormers:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Sireli Naqelevuki, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Juan de Jongh, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger (captain), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Adriaan Fondse, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. JD Moller

Substitutes: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. Eusebio Guinazu, 18. Anton van Zyl, 19. Pieter Louw, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Willem de Waal, 22. Tim Whitehead

Crusaders:
15. Colin Slade, 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Robert Fruean, 12. Ryan Criotty, 11. Zac Guildford, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Kahn Fotuali’i, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 6. George Whitelock, 5. Chris Jack, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 1. Wyatt Crockett

Substitutes: 16. Ti’i Paulo, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Sam Whitelock, 19. Thomas Waldrom, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Daniel Bowden, 22. Jared Payne