Habana: No excuses for Boks
Experienced wing Bryan Habana has relayed the message that the Springboks will have no excuses not to be ready to tackle the English in Saturday's first Test in Durban.
The Boks have been thrown together from their Super Rugby franchises with less than a week to prepare for the Test series, but Habana believes there is no room for excuses when you're representing your country.
"The one thing we all agreed upon was that there were going to be no excuses, no matter what the circumstances, whether it be preparation time or anything else," Habana told the media.
"We're all professional enough to understand the role and responsibility we have to go out there on the field and make sure we start this new era off with a win."
The 28-year-old concede that "things are different" now that Heyneke Meyer is coach and legends John Smit and Victor Matfield are no longer around.
"The dynamics have changed quite a bit at the back of the bus," he said.
"We had some unbelievable rugby players, who will go down as legends of the game, that are no longer here.
"So things have changed and you have to believe in the structures and playing styles that the new coaches want to achieve.
"You have to fully buy into that concept and every successful Springbok team I've been involved in, for the last eight or nine years, has believed in those structures."
The Springboks have a proud record against England in recent times, going unbeaten on South African soil for the past 12 years. However, come Saturday – Habana believes history won't count for much.
"It's a fantastic record to have, but we're not going to worry about what happened in the past," he explained.
"It's about setting ourselves new goals and new standards and taking that forward for the next era in Springbok rugby.
"It's definitely going to be tough on Saturday, but history means nothing.
"This is probably one of the stronger English sides to visit South African shores over the last 12 years."
Habana is now the most experienced Bok in the squad, with 74 Test caps to him name, and plans to offer what guidance he can to the new faces in the team.
"It's a great role and responsibility I have," he said.
"Hopefully I'll be able to relay the messages I got when I first became a Springbok.
"The role and responsibility I, and all the senior guys, have for the whole country is huge and an honour and privilege."
