Rugby World Cup: South Africa can repeat 2007 win - Habana

Bryan Habana is tackled by Shalom Suniula of the United States

South Africa's inconsistent form throughout 2015 does not mean they cannot repeat their 2007 World Cup success, says winger Bryan Habana.

The Springboks lost four out of five Tests before being shocked by Japan in their opening World Cup match.

However, three successive victories since have set up Saturday's quarter-final against Wales at Twickenham.

"This team has the same potential to achieve something great," said Habana, 32, who scored eight tries in 2007.

"After that first weekend shock loss against Japan we had to stand up and be counted."

Habana's hat-trick in last week's 64-0 win over United States lifted him to joint top of the all-time World Cup try-scorers list with New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu on 15.

He is among eight survivors of former coach Jake White's squad that lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy in Paris.

"In 2007 we had a smooth run into the World Cup, where this year it was more stop-start with a couple of injuries and a couple of losses before the tournament," Habana continued.

"It is always nice to reminisce about the past, but the past isn't going to get us anywhere in this competition.

"We have learnt quite a few lessons over the last three weeks and we can use those going into this knockout phase where you have eight of the best teams in the world competing for that little cup called Bill."

No Cardiff hangover

Wales, who have only beaten the Springboks twice, ended a run of 16 consecutive defeats with a 12-6 victory at the Millennium Stadium in the last meeting between the two sides in November 2014.

The sides have met once before in the World Cup, with the Springboks winning their group game 17-16 in 2011.

However, Springboks fly-half Pat Lambie, who started that game, said: "What happened in the past needs to stay in the past, Saturday is the only thing that counts now.

"We'll have a look at what happened back in Cardiff in November and try to learn from those experiences, but we want to focus on ourselves and what we do well."