Boks have a point to prove

 

Habana's 100th Test ended in heartbreaking fashion as a late try saw Australia snatch a dramatic victory in Perth after the veteran wing had spent 10 minutes in the sin bin.

 

They had a great opportunity the following week to notch their first victory in New Zealand under coach Heyneke Meyer, but the All Blacks held out to thwart them again.

 

Whilst there could be some positives taken from their competitive performance in Wellington, their failure to close out tight games against top teams away from home remains a sore point.

 

Habana said that whilst it was frustrating to come up short twice, it is vital for the Springboks to put those games behind them and focus on establishing dominance on home turf.

 

"We will never accept losing in a Springbok jersey no matter how well we play. I think that Test against the All Blacks in Wellington was pleasing in certain aspects but to come away without winning was very disappointing.

 

"As a team we lay down certain goals and certain things we would like to achieve. We are disappointed that we haven't been able to beat New Zealand in New Zealand in the last three years and last Saturday we had a fantastic opportunity to do that and we let that slip.

 

"We need to learn from those slip-ups as soon as possible and when you get home you want to get on top," he said.

 

Having had his 100th Test party spoiled by the Wallabies, Habana said that the Boks will not be expecting to have things all their own way at Newlands on Saturday.

 

"Under Ewen McKenzie the Wallabies are showing a bit of improvement, the Waratahs going on and winning Super Rugby this year has definitely laid a platform for their improvement.

 

"They showed in that draw with the All Blacks that stopped them going on to become the most successful side in rugby history and then beating us in Perth in the last minute with their never say die attitude.

 

"We are definitely going to respect them, and we understand that we haven't beaten them this year and we would like to go out and keep the Nelson Mandela Plate next week," he said.

 

Having been within touching distance of victory in both their matches in Australasia, the Boks would do well to deny their opponents that privilege over the next two weeks.

 

Defeat to the Wallabies in Cape Town would turn this from a disappointing campaign into a disastrous one, and they will have to show that they have the killer instinct required to finish off quality opposition.