Bryan Habana issues apology for taking a dive in Heineken Cup Final

Toulon winger Bryan Habana has issued a public apology for what can only be described as a football-like dive in yesterday’s Heineken Cup final. This evening he took to twitter in an attempt to smooth over the incident, and issued a public apology.

The 95 times capped Springbok winger has reached the peak of the game due in part to his incredibly competitive nature and high workrate. Unfortunately in recent times (on more than one occasion) it appears that he’s going a bit far, milking small knocks for all they’re worth.

Against Saracens he didn’t get much ball so was probably quite frustrated. Off turnover ball he set off in typical fashion, but a chip and chase resulted in a slight bit of contact from Owen Farrell, and Habana went down, theatrically, as noted by Top 14 commentator Martin Gillingham.

He might have got the penalty anyway, but he flung his body back in a way that should never be seen on the rugby field. Saracens captain Steve Borthwick could be heard shouting ‘Embarrassing, embarrassing’ in Habana’s direction, and referee Alain Rolland had a word with him.

So this evening, Habana manned up and took full responsibility for his actions, apologising.

“So before anything.. Apologies in every way and to the whole community for happened in the Heineken Cup final yesterday… It was in no way intended with malice or to bring the game into disrepute. Sportsmanship and integrity are key factors to what makes rugby so special and I let myself, the fans, our opponents and the game down. Hopefully it didn’t take away from what was a fantastic spectacle and even more so a special victory for @RCTOfficiel.”

Fair play to him. He’s been at the highest level for ten years now and with this weekend’s win he’s joined an exclusive club of players to have won pretty much everything – Currie Cup, Super Rugby, British & Irish Lions, Tri Nations, World Cup and now, the Heineken Cup.

And next weekend, possibly the Top 14 too. But diving, that can’t happen again.

This is the apology from Bryan Habana, posted via his twitter account