Rugby: Habana cleared for 50th test

Winger Bryan Habana won't face any disciplinary action for a late return to his hotel room so is clear to play his 50th test for the Springboks when they face the All Blacks in Sunday morning's Tri-Nations rugby test.

Reports that the 26-year-old returned to his team's Bloemfontein hotel at 1am on the morning of the test match were not confirmed by team management.

Springboks media manager Anthony Mackaiser told journalists that an inquiry had only shown up that Habana was late, although a time wasn't mentioned. Alcohol had not been involved.

"The team management made inquiries into the alleged break of protocol and found there was no substance to the claims and therefore no action will be taken against the player," Mackaiser said.

Habana's exoneration means there is no repeat of last year when South African coach Peter de Villiers was forced to suspend halfback Ricky Januarie for one game for breaking team protocol by attending a braai (barbecue) in the leadup to a home test against Wales.

He arrived back at the team hotel under the influence of alcohol.

Habana is South Africa's second-leading test tryscorer with 33 and was named world player of the year in 2007.

He and second five-eighth Jean de Villiers are poised to raise their half-century of tests in this weekend's test, which follows the 28-19 defeat of New Zealand in Bloemfontein.

The Springboks team is named late on Tuesday night.

- NZPA