See how social media reacted when Springbok icon Bryan Habana recently retired from rugby
Social Media Reacts to Bryan Habana Retirement
Just a few weeks after the retirement of Irish rugby legend Jamie Heaslip, another icon of the game, Bryan Habana, has decided to hang up his boots too.
A World Cup and IRB Player of the Year winner in 2007 with South Africa, Habana has been one of the game’s most elusive and fastest wingers. Once he even famously raced a cheetah!
He made his Springboks debut back in November 2004 against England and went on to play 124 times for his country, his last cap coming in November 2016 against Italy. He has also scored 67 Test tries – a total bettered in international rugby only by Japan wing Daisuke Ohata, who scored 69 – and he is tied with Jonah Lomu for the most World Cup tries with 15.
In 2009, he was also part of the South Africa side that defeated the Lions, while he has enjoyed immense success at club level too. He won two Super Rugby titles with the Bulls, in 2007 and 2009, as well as a Top 14 title and two European Cups with Toulon. the club he joined in 2013.
The 34-year-old took to Instagram to announce his retirement:
After the news spread, social media flocked to praise the winger, as did many of his contemporaries.
The official South African Rugby account tweeted:
ICYMI – It's a sad day for South African rugby because one of our greatest of all time today announced that he will be retiring from rugby in a few months' time. All the best @BryanHabana and thank you for all the tries and the wonderful memories. #legend https://t.co/349y1mENuv
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) April 24, 2018
As did this Toulon supporters’ account:
Thanks for the memories, moments & milestones.
For all you gave to 🌍🏉 & Toulon.
Best wishes for your future endeavours. pic.twitter.com/faoDu67tEu
— #RugbyToulon (@rugbytoulon_) April 24, 2018
Referee Nigel Owens was quick to congratulate Habana on Twitter:
Congratulations on a brilliant career. Best wishes for the future. It was always a pleasure to referee you and always difficult to try and keep up with you 😂.
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) April 25, 2018
Former Springbok team-mates John Smit and Bakkies Botha thanked him for being so effective throughout his career:
Legendary innings my mate, I watched a young boy become a South Africa icon. Congrats brother and good luck!!! What an incredible ambassador you have been for SA, oh yes and thanks for scoring all those tries!!!😜
— John Smit (@JohnSmit123) April 24, 2018
Come on my friend walk with me you can take of you rugby boots as well.I still have your back after rugby.I salute one of the best in the game and a lifetime friend well done on amazing career @BryanHabana ! LIVING LEGEND🏉🏉🏉🏉 pic.twitter.com/oB20y4EPDa
— Bakkies Botha (@BakkiesBotha4) April 24, 2018
Even those who Habana tormented for years took the time to praise his career, such as the All Blacks:
To one of our greatest rivals, we say congratulations for a stunning career. You will be missed by fans across the world. All the best for the next chapter @BryanHabana! 🇿🇦#Legend #FlyingBryan pic.twitter.com/HFr77gzNYM
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) April 25, 2018
Habana was one of the greatest wingers ever and had an illustrious career. Well played, Bryan Habana.
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