Cape Town - Former Springbok wing Bryan Habana has expressed his disappointment following the announcement of France as hosts of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The decision came as a shock after World Rugby had named South Africa as the recommended hosts of the tournament following an independent audit last month.
READ: SA Rugby 'bitterly disappointed' at World Cup snub
Habana, who has played 124 Tests for the Springboks, currently plies his trade at French outfit Toulon.
He took to Twitter to express his disappointment at his country failing to host the 2023 spectacle, but also congratulated France at the same time.
"Incredibly disappointed for SA but félicitations @BernardLaporte_ @michalakfred @sebchabal et la France #RWC2023," he wrote.
READ: Twitter explodes as France awarded RWC 2023
Habana scored a record-equaling 15 World Cup tries and was an integral member of the Springboks' triumph in France in 2007 and their third place finish at the 2015 event in England.