Tough times at Toulon helped make Bryan Habana a better player and a better person.
The winger recently played an influential role in Toulon's third European Cup triumph, and he and his wife have settled into life on the French south coast. But it wasn’t always this easy.
A year ago Habana was wondering whether he had made a mistake in swapping the Stormers for Toulon. Worse yet, he says, he had a sense that Toulon had regrets about his recruitment and making him one of the best paid players in the game.
In the new issue of SA Rugby magazine, on sale this week, Habana talks frankly about his Toulon struggles and how they ultimately benefited him.
He also gives his thoughts on the Springboks' chances of winning the 2015 World Cup and the increasing number of Boks playing abroad, and reveals when he plans to retire from Test rugby.
Also in the new issue:
– Morné Steyn wants the Springbok No 10 jersey back
– When the news broke that former All Blacks loose forward Jerry Collins had died in a car crash in France, the rugby world expressed its collective grief
– There are numerous layers to the man and the rugby player David Pocock has grown into
– The Stormers once again failed to deliver when it mattered
– The Sharks’ 2015 Super Rugby campaign was built on shaky foundations and it didn’t take long for the cracks to show
– The Bulls have regressed badly since winning their third Super Rugby title five years ago
– Franco Smith on his coaching career, the brand of rugby he wants the Cheetahs to play and using the Currie Cup to prepare for Super Rugby
– Paarl Boys’ High have had an outstanding 2015 season
– In the sixth instalment of a series on Springbok coaches, we look back at Carel du Plessis’ eight-match stint in 1997
– The Junior Springboks’ U20 Championship hopes were ended by England’s physical onslaught
– Junior Boks loose forwards Jean-Luc and Daniel du Preez on playing together, brother Robert’s move to Western Province and the role their Springbok father has played in their careers
SA RUGBY IN AFRIKAANS!
Vanaf volgende maand sal SA Rugby ook in Afrikaans beskikbaar wees, so wees op die uitkyk vir ons spesiale Wêreldbeker-uitgawe, te koop vanaf 26 Augustus.
