Habana sets try record

Johannesburg - Wing Bryan Habana has become the most prolific Test try-scorer in South African rugby history, crossing the line in the first half on Thursday against Namibia at the Rugby World Cup for his 39th try in 72 matches.

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The total eclipses former scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen, who scored 38 tries in 89 Tests before retiring from international rugby in 2003.

Habana swooped the left flank to outpace the defence and put the ball down under the posts in the Pool D match at North Harbour Stadium.

He had gone 11 Tests without scoring, the longest drought of a career that began in 2004. His last try was against Italy at Witbank in June 2010.

Leading all-time Springbok try scorers:

39: x-Bryan Habana
38: Joost van der Westhuizen
32: x-Jaque Fourie
26: Breyton Paulse
25: Percy Montgomery
21: Pieter Rossouw
20: James Small

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