Bryan Habana praises South Africa’s wingers ahead of Rugby Championship opener

Springbok legend Bryan Habana is thrilled that South Africa's dynamic wingers are being given the freedom to shine on the rugby field, a sentiment he expressed as the Boks prepare for their Rugby Championship opener against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Habana, known for his own phenomenal wing play, is especially excited about the talents of Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Edwill van der Merwe, who, alongside the experienced Makazole Mapimpi, are setting the rugby world alight with their performances.

Arendse and Van der Merwe are primed to feature as the wings in this crucial match in Johannesburg (5.10 pm start), marking a significant moment in their careers.

Habana, speaking at the Peregrine Capital X Rugby Centurions launch party, is excited for what is to come from the Boks and their pocket rockets.

“They are redefining how people see wing play,” Habana said about the scrum-capped hotsteppers of the Boks.

“Edwill could become the first Springbok to score tries in his first four matches, and I always tell people, records are there to be broken. If I look at what Cheslin is doing, Kurt-Lee and Makazole and how they’ve been given that platform to showcase their talents and individualism, it is phenomenal.

“As a fan, it is brilliant to see how those who have been given the opportunity in the Springbok team are going out and performing. Long may that continue, and records be broken.”

Van der Merwe will look to grasp the opportunity of breaking that try-scoring record in his first Test against Australia. The 29-year-old took the road less travelled into the Bok setup but has shown his worth in his first three matches.

Habana backs him to make history at his former provincial hunting ground.

“Edwill has been playing incredible rugby over the last six or seven years. He grafted hard and is a player who puts himself in positions to surprise opposition. It is no small feat that he is where he is in terms of his success rate.

“His off-the-mark speed is excellent, his vision to pop up where opponents do not expect him to, and his power-to-weight ratio is up there with Cheslin. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and that is brilliant.

“It is a phenomenal opportunity to create some rugby history.”

The 2007 World Cup winner applauded the likes of Kolbe, Arendse and Van der Merwe for the way they are breaking down rugby stigma around size. Week in and week out, the Bok wingers are putting in performances on the attack and defence, even under high kicks, that underpin their dominance on the international stage.

Habana highlighted the fact that Bok coach Rassie Erasmus doesn’t look at size but the battle stats of players.

“If you look at how they play the game, you can’t leave them out. They are smashing the opportunities out of the park. It is all about what you are doing on the field, the impact you are making, and these players rarely put a foot wrong.

“The way they step up physically, I mean Cheslin, Kurt-lee and Edwill, they are bouncing props (in tackles). That power-to-weight ratio takes a lot of hard work and effort. I do believe that comes from the support of coaches who back you.

“They have been really special."