Springbok star Bryan Habana, speaking exclusively to this website, is looking forward to once again enjoying the 'huge honour' of playing for the star-studded Barbarians outfit in a few weeks' time.

The 2009 showpiece event is set to take place at Twickenham on Saturday, December 5 and will see some of the world's biggest names teaming up with Habana to take on Graham Henry's All Blacks.

Habana, talking to us from London on Friday, made his debut for the invitational side against the Wallabies last year and admits that he is already looking forward to playing his part once again, following the conclusion of the world champion Springboks' year-end tour.

Known as the 'United Nations of Rugby', the Barbarians FC is one of the rugby world's oldest traditions and one which the South African star is extremely proud to be a part of.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me - the legacy and the legend around what the Barbarians stands for is something really special and something that every rugby player, at any opportunity in his career, wants to have a full go at," said the Bok try-machine to this website.

"I've been very fortunate in my career [so far], and to have been part of a star-studded line-up last year, with some of the world's greatest players was brilliant. [And] again this year I have another opportunity [and] against an All Black side whose rivalry with the Barbarians goes back quite a long way!"

The SA connection

Heading up the Baa-baas coaching staff this year are a pair of names known very well in South Africa and, indeed, around the world.

Current Italian head coach Nick Mallett and his former Springbok assistant, Alan Solomans, have been tasked with plotting the All Blacks' downfall and Habana is eager to work with them both for the first time.

"As a player I have a lot of respect for what Nick [Mallett] has done. Under him the Boks won 17 Tests in a row... that whole era of South African rugby was fantastic.

"Being in Italy now he's learnt a lot about overseas cultures and what's expected of overseas players so it will be good," added Habana.

"We had Jake [White] last year, so that makes it two years in a row where we've had South African coaches for the 'Baa-baas', so that makes it quite special [as well]. It's definitely exciting. Alan Solomans [too] was a really fantastic coach in his days with the Stormers and he has contributed to the world of rugby, not just South Africa, but overseas as well."

Whilst they have not quite been at their best for most of 2009, few know better than Habana just how dangerous the All Blacks can be. Having faced them a number of times in the Green and Gold of South Africa, the Stormers-bound wing knows that the Barbarians are going to have to be at their best to take down the Kiwis.

That said, he certainly will not be doing it alone. Joining him in the 'Baa-baas' squad this year are a number of his in-form Springboks teammates, as well as a host of other international stars.

"I'm looking forward to it - we are going to have a fantastic group of guys," he enthused.

"You look at Matt Giteau, George Smith, Victor Matfield, Bakkies [Botha], Fourie [du Preez], Juan Martin Hernandez... there's talk of Stirling Mortlock as well... these are some of the top players in the world.

"If we get it right and enjoy each other's company, and gel well, we can put up a great performance against the New Zealanders."

Mixing rivals

Of course one of the greatest dynamics around the Barbarians is the coming together of great rivalries. The mixing of outstanding players who have always been on opposite sides in the past helps to make the experience all the more rewarding for the individuals themselves.

"Last year was quite funny," admitted the 51-times capped Springbok.

"I was IRB Player of the Year in 2007 and I shared a room with Shane Williams, last year's Player of the Year.

"You are archrivals but then you have to stay in the same room - you have to communicate. But as fierce as the rivalry is when you play, the camaraderie with the Barbarians, no matter what has happened in the past, is amazing. You really become friends and socialise on a totally different platform.

"You learn about other cultures... My experience with Shane [last year], finding out about his family, what life means to him - he's such a humble person off the field. Those opportunities are not things you probably get in rugby much these days," added Habana.

"I [also] played with someone like Joe Rockoko - a try-scoring machine for New Zealand and someone who has done so much for All Blacks rugby. Being able to play with him and link up with him, share his experiences, was invaluable for me in my cause of becoming a better rugby player."

Habana, a World Cup-winning hero in 2007, is nearing the end of yet another whirlwind season.

Having already claimed a (second) Super 14 title with the Bulls, beating the B&I Lions with the Boks and also winning the Tri-Nations title in the Green and Gold, he still has a Currie Cup Final (with the Blue Bulls), an end-of-year tour with the Boks and, of course, that Baa-baas appearance to look forward to.

"There are a couple big things coming up in the next month and a half which I would really like to achieve, starting with a Currie Cup Final next week at Loftus," said a determined Habana.

"Then we've got an opportunity with the end-of-year tour to make this one of the best years South African rugby has ever seen.

"It's been a fantastic year [for South African rugby], and to have been a part of it and to have contributed to the success of South African rugby, under someone like Peter de Villiers and John Smit, has been a real privilege."

The long season does not seem to daunt Habana and there is no doubt that these last few challenges of 2009 are simply serving to spur him on, as he concludes: "I'm looking forward to putting my body on the line over the next 60 or so days and making sure we all have a fantastic December holiday."

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