Bryan Habana has explained why he turned down another season of rugby
Bryan Habana considered moving to another club for a swansong season before he announced his retirement this week.
The Springbok flier, who has not played a competitive game since April 2017, said he was “humbled by the response” to his decision to bring an end to a glittering 16-year professional career at the end of the season. He said that his retirement came after months of fighting to get back into the squad after recovering from a knee injury.
“I started training normally again five months ago … but [team selection is] the coach’s choice,” Habana told a press conference ahead of Toulon’s Top 14 match against Castres Olympique on Saturday. “The medical team told me I was ready to play.
“I’ve fought to play one last time in this jersey. It’s been a bit difficult for me because I’ve worked very hard for months to play again. Fabien Galthié … thinks I’m not 100%, that’s how it is.”
Continue reading below…
He said his growing family prompted him to call a halt to his playing career once it became clear he was not central to Galthie’s plans for Toulon. “I looked to see if there were any opportunities to play one last full season at another club. But I also had to think about my family. I talked a lot about it with my wife. It was the right decision.”
Despite his disappointment, Habana remained philosophical. “It’s hard but it’s the coach’s job and I know it’s not easy being a coach. We have a lot of world-class players like Chris Ashton, Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova…
“I understand it can be like that, even if I think I could have played one last time for my club. It’s a shame, but that’s life. That’s the way it is. All players want to keep playing, but right now it’s not possible.”
Habana said he would take a break before deciding what to do next, but refused to rule out a return to rugby in some capacity. “Obviously I’ve gained a lot of experience in the last 16 years and I wouldn’t like that to disappear, so maybe I’ll do consultancy either in Europe or back in South Africa.
“But, at this moment, I’m probably looking towards going into the business world – exactly what that is I’m not 100% sure yet. Maybe a bit of punditry work at some stage.
“For the moment I want to take it all in – take in the last 16 years, give myself a bit of a mental break. Even though I haven’t been playing matchdays for the past 12 months, I’ve been training just as much as anyone else, if not more.
“I think I can look back at my career with a lot of pride, but I don’t want to rush into anything because the life after is a long one and, for myself and my family, I’ll try and make a the right decision.
“We’ll enjoy the summer on the Cote d’Azur because right now it’s raining and cold in Cape Town. And it will allow me to take the time to settle everything well with the club. And then it’ll be like a transition to my next life. Because my life will go on.”
He looked back on the Toulon stage of his career with pride. “My first season here was the best. There were so many world-class players. Wilkinson, Botha, Williams… And we did the double.
“I really enjoy the French culture. The language is not easy, and I think my son, who is a few months old, speaks it better than I do because he goes to nursery.”
Despite an international career that included a World Cup win and a series victory over the British and Irish Lions, it was his debut that brings back the happiest memories. “It was 2004 for my first selection with the Springboks. We played England at Twickenham. I was 21 and scored with my first touch. That’s something I’ll never forget.”
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
5 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments