Brian Gary Havana is a South African rugby legend, renowned for his skills as a winger.
Hailed as one of the best players in the history of the sport, with an admirable combination of speed, agility and scoring ability, Habana’s impact on the sport and his contribution to South African rugby will always be remembered and celebrated.
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- Full name: Bryan Gary Habana
- Stage name: Bryan Habana
- Date of Birth: June 12, 1983
- Age: 41
- Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Occupation: Former rugby league player
- Height: 1.8m
- Parents: Faith Habana and Bernie Habana
- Siblings: Bradley and Bradley Havana
- Spouse: Janine Viljoen
- Children: Timothy Jacob Havana and Gabriel Havana
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $2.7 million
Early life and education
Brian Gary Havana was born in Johannesburg on June 12, 1983. He was raised by his parents, Faith Havana and Bernie Havana, and has two siblings, Bradley and Bradley Havana.
Havana was educated at King Edward VII School and the University of Johannesburg (also known as the Rand Afrikaans University). He is of South African descent and a Christian.
Profession
Brian Habana’s natural talent and incredible speed make him a force to be reckoned with on the rugby field. Since making his debut in 2004, he has quickly become a legend of the sport, making key contributions and achieving impressive results for the Springboks.
His place in history was cemented by his performance at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where his record-tying eight touchdowns helped South Africa to victory. This performance also earned him the 2007 IRB Player of the Year Award, cementing his place as one of the greatest rugby players of all time.
His relentless pursuit of experimentation on the field paid off as he became the Springboks’ all-time leading scorer in 2011, eventually reaching a staggering 67 touchdowns in his international career, second only to Japan’s Daisuke Ohata.
After the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he also shared the record for most goals scored in a Rugby World Cup with New Zealand’s Jonah Lomu (15), cementing his reputation as a staple on rugby’s biggest stage.
Havana had a stellar career in rugby, performing at both the Super Rugby and international levels. He was a key player in helping the Bulls win two Super Rugby titles and reach another final with the Storm.
In his native South Africa, he also won two Currie Cup titles. His success continued when he moved to French club Toulon, where he won two more Heineken Champions Cups and a French Top 14 title, adding to his impressive trophy collection.
Awards and nominations
- World Rugby Player of the Year (2007): This prestigious award cemented his status as an outstanding player, especially after his outstanding performance at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
- Top touchdown scorer in the Rugby World Cup (2007): Havana tied the (at the time) record for most touchdowns in a single World Cup game with an impressive eight.
- IRB World Player of the Year Nominee (2005): Even before his impressive performance at the World Cup, Habana’s talent was recognised and he was nominated for this top player award.
- Second-leading touchdown scorer of all time: Habana ranks second among all touchdown scorers with a staggering 67 touchdowns during his international career.
- Inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame (2023): This new honour cements Havana’s place in rugby league lore.
Social Media
- Instagram account: Bryan Habana (@bryanhabana_)
Personal life
Brian Havana is a famous South African rugby player who is married to his wife Jenny Virjon. In 2023, the couple celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary.
They have two sons, Timothy Jacob Habana, born in 2014, and Gabriel, born in 2018. Despite his successful career, Habana still prioritizes his family and often expresses his love and appreciation for his wife on social media.
net worth
Havana is involved in various philanthropic endeavors, which may have added $2.7 million to his net worth.
While this amount may seem large, it is worth noting that professional athletes typically have short careers and may face financial challenges after retirement, so wise investing and planning for the future are crucial for them.