Cited Habana a doubt for clash with Ireland

BRYAN HABANA could miss South Africa’s showdown with Ireland on November 28 after being cited for allegedly kicking an opponent during the Springboks’ 20-13 test defeat to France in Toulouse.

Habana, 26, is due to appear before a disciplinary hearing tomorrow. The minimum recommended entry level punishment for kicking an opponent is four weeks.

The Springboks face Italy on Saturday and then travel to Dublin for a Croke Park clash between the Six Nations and Tri-Nations champions.

Habana is not in the South Africa side for tomorrow’s tour match against Saracens at Wembley but there will be a number of capped Springboks on both teams.

The Premiership side will be captained by 2007 World Cup winner Wikus van Heerden, who won 14 test caps, while scrum-half Neil de Kock, flyhalf Derick Hougaard and hooker Schalk Brits all feature against the Springboks. Rising English stars Brad Barritt, Noah Cato, Alex Goode and Andy Saull also get the chance to test themselves against the world champions.

The Springboks have changed their midweek front row following last week’s defeat at Leicester but they still include familiar names like CJ van der Linde, Ruan Pienaar and Wynand Olivier.

Saracens head coach Brendan Venter said: “It’s going to be a fantastic occasion. To have the chance to face an international side is an honour but to face the world champions at Wembley Stadium is something very special.

“Both squads got together for a meal on Sunday night and it was fantastic for the players and coaches to just sit down and have a chat and also see a few friendships renewed.

“But come kick-off both teams will want to win what promises to be a fiercely-contested game.”