Star South African winger Bryan Habana has insisted he is not the key to the team’s success as they prepare to face England in Saturday’s World Cup final.

The 24-year-old picked out flanker Juan Smith and scrum-half Fourie du Preez as the Springboks’ biggest influences.

“I don’t mind if I’m a marked man – that means they’re not worrying too much about the other 14 players, who are just as talented,” he said.

“I don’t think I’m the star. Without us all, we wouldn’t have been a success.”

Habana has scored eight tries to help his side into the final but he cited the impact of Smith and Du Preez as vital to South Africa.

“I think Juan has had a great tournament and has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years,” said 24-year-old Habana.

He has come out of Schalk Burger’s shadow and the momentum we get from him is unbelievable.

“I was surprised he was not there in the IRB nominations for player of the year.”

Du Preez ran England ragged in the 36-0 win over the world champions in the group stages.

And Habana added: “The calmness Fourie brings to our team is equivalent to the calmness Jonny Wilkinson brings to the England team.

“In terms of completeness, he has grown into the best scrum-half I have ever seen grace a rugby field.”

South Africa will start as favourites as they aim to add to their previous World Cup win of 1995 but Habana is aware of the dangers England pose.

“We know it will be a tactical battle,” said Habana. “They have an unbelievable front five, who have been dominating that department over the last few years.

“And they have got one of the best fly-halves in the business in Jonny.

“Then they have Jason Robinson, who I have the world of respect for. He has been able to make a difference in the last four weeks.

“We have analysed them but it’s about what happens on the day.”

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