Cape Town - A rare achievement is in sight for record-setting Springbok and Stormers wing Bryan Habana when he runs out against the Blues in Albany on Friday.
Habana will be playing in his 50th Super Rugby match for the Stormers, which in itself is special, but in an era of centurions, not spectacular.
But the record-setting Springbok wing has also played in 61 matches for the Bulls, which means Habana will on Friday become only the second player ever to play in 50 or more Super Rugby matches for two teams. The first one to reach this milestone was Nathan Sharpe, who finished his impressive career on 92 matches for the Force and 70 for the Reds.
The Stormers and the Blues will kick off the weekend's matches at the North Harbour Stadium in Albany, north of Auckland. The last time a South African team played “across the bridge” was in 2007, when the Sharks beat the Blues 32-25.
Kick-off is at 09:35 SA time.
Teams:
Blues:
15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams (captain), 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tom McCartney
Substitutes: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Jamison Gibson-Park, 21 Baden Kerr, 22 Lolagi Visinia
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers (captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Gary van Aswegen, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen (vice-captain), 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Scarra Ntubeni, 17. Pat Cilliers, 18. Eben Etzebeth, 19. Nizaam Carr, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Elton Jantjies, 22. Damian de Allende
Habana will be playing in his 50th Super Rugby match for the Stormers, which in itself is special, but in an era of centurions, not spectacular.
But the record-setting Springbok wing has also played in 61 matches for the Bulls, which means Habana will on Friday become only the second player ever to play in 50 or more Super Rugby matches for two teams. The first one to reach this milestone was Nathan Sharpe, who finished his impressive career on 92 matches for the Force and 70 for the Reds.
The Stormers and the Blues will kick off the weekend's matches at the North Harbour Stadium in Albany, north of Auckland. The last time a South African team played “across the bridge” was in 2007, when the Sharks beat the Blues 32-25.
Kick-off is at 09:35 SA time.
Teams:
Blues:
15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams (captain), 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tom McCartney
Substitutes: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Jamison Gibson-Park, 21 Baden Kerr, 22 Lolagi Visinia
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers (captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Gary van Aswegen, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen (vice-captain), 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Scarra Ntubeni, 17. Pat Cilliers, 18. Eben Etzebeth, 19. Nizaam Carr, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Elton Jantjies, 22. Damian de Allende