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Joost a surprise RWC leader

Cape Town - A look at the history of the Rugby World Cup reveals some interesting statistics with some Springboks standing tall among the best the game has ever seen. 

Bryan Habana now sits alongside Jonah Lomu as the tournament's all-time leading try scorer with 15, but a look at some of the other categories may raise a few eyebrows. 

Schalk Burger has made more carries over the gain line than any other player in the history of the tournament, ahead of Richie McCaw and Lawrence Dallaglio, while 2007 World Cup winner Juan Smith is a surprise inclusion in the Top 5 for lineouts stolen alongside Victor Matfield (both 15).

But perhaps the biggest shock arises when looking at most turnovers won.

One would think that honour would go to someone like McCaw, Burger or David Pocock, but instead former Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen tops the list with 23 turnovers, according to the Rugby World Cup's official website

All time World Cup records:

Most tries

15 - Bryan Habana (SA)

15 - Jonah Lomu (NZ)

13 - Doug Howlett (NZ)

12 - Drew Mitchell (Aus)

Most carries over gain line

79 - Schalk Burger (SA)

77 - Lawrence Dallaglio (Eng)

76 - Richie McCaw (NZ)

76 - Ovidiu Tonita (Rom)

72 - Brian O'Driscoll (Ire)

Most lineout steals

22 - John Eales (Aus)

22 - Doddie Weir (Sco)

15 - Victor Matfield (SA)

15 - Juan Smith (SA)

15 - Neil Francis (Ire)

Most metres made

1 219 - Jonah Lomu (NZ)

999 - Jason Robinson (Eng)

961 - Bryan Habana (SA)

892 - Glen Osborne (Eng)

838 - Josh Lewsey (Eng)

Most turnovers won

23 - Joost van der Westhuizen (SA)

22 - David Pocock (Aus)

20 - Josh Kronfeld (NZ)

19 - Richie McCaw (NZ)

17 - Brian Lima (Sam)

17 - Neil Back (Eng)

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