ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Bryan Habana gives first hand account of dramatic 2009 Boks win over the Lions

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Monday May 11, 2020

On Sunday we looked back at the epic second Test between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions, which was perhaps the most intense rugby match in the modern era.

ADVERTISEMENT

It was a match which seemed to have everything: hard hits, controversy, tries and late drama. It’s what ultimately gave the Springboks the series win and some revenge after the 1997 defeat.

With the full game now available to watch (here), former Scotland second-row Jim Hamilton sat down for a video chat with Springbok legend Habana, who reflected on the occasion.

Habana recounted the half-time discussion between team-mates and head coach at the time Pieter de Villiers. The winger said that they were told to “get a bit more fire in the belly” ahead of the second forty minutes, which is exactly what happened.

Perhaps one of the game-changing moments was Brian O’Driscoll’s bone-crushing tackle on Danie Roussow, which cost the Lions a penalty and gave the home side a chance to get back into the game heading into the final quarter.

It was a tackle which surprised Habana: “At that time, Brian wasn’t really known that much for his physicality and to see him [do that to] Danie, who has exerted his physical dominance on so many players made us realise that we needed to get with the game otherwise we were going to get pounded.”

Habana’s try soon after did bring them back into the game, and Jacques Fourie’s try to take them into the lead was according to the winger “one of the best finishes I’ve ever seen in my life.”

ADVERTISEMENT

A World Cup winner with the Boks in 2007, Habana says the Lions success is “easily in the top two” of all-time career achievements and by re-watching the epic second test, it is easy to see why.

Related Articles

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Former Connacht hooker shares brilliant rugby...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Official calls halt to play amidst double-call...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

View All