Habana unavailable for Ireland Tests

Cape Town - Wing Bryan Habana won’t be available for the Springboks’ three-Test series against Ireland in June, new coach Allister Coetzee confirmed on Tuesday.

Coetzee was speaking in Johannesburg after being unveiled as the new national coach.

Coetzee confirmed the status quo will exist in 2016 in that he will be allowed to pick overseas-based players - apart from Habana for the Incoming Series.

A deal was struck with Habana’s French club Toulon, who allowed the speedster to play sevens rugby for the Blitzboks this year.

“The status quo for this year remains the same. So if I would like to use overseas-based players... it’s been done, arranged..." said Coetzee.

“Bar Bryan Habana. He’s come out and played a bit of sevens this year, so the only concession is made for Bryan. He won’t be available for the Incoming Test Series (against Ireland).”

The Springboks will take on Ireland in Cape Town (June 11), Johannesburg (June 18) and Port Elizabeth (June 25).