South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer hopes Bryan Habana is hitting form at the right time after the winger’s record-equalling feat against the United States.

– RWC: All Blacks ready to step it up a level in final group game
– RWC: O’Connell – ‘France a mountain of a challenge’
– RWC: Highs and lows of Rugby World Cup so far

The 32-year-old scored a 19-minute hat-trick as the Springboks crushed an inexperienced USA side to run out 64-0 victors at the Olympic Stadium – a result that means they will top Pool B and face a quarter-final against Australia or Wales.

The individual feat saw Habana draw level with former All Black Jonah Lomu’s record of 15 World Cup tries, and Meyer said: “First and foremost it sounds corny but the one thing we are getting right now is that it is better for the team than the individual.

“He is always the guy who comes through in big games, he didn’t have a good off-season and couldn’t get going. Now he is getting momentum as I didn’t think in the last three or four weeks he has been at his best.

“I didn’t even know he had got the record, I was more focused on the game. But I’m so proud of him and it is great, he is a great ambassador for South Africa and I hope he has peaked at the right time.

“He will need to score more tries as well but I’m pleased for him. He is looking forward and getting the ball in his hand – he has more experience and has been great for the past two games.”

With a mouthwatering Twickenham quarter-final ahead, Meyer added: “I know we are better prepared and we will face one of the best two in the world.

“We have to be more clinical and use every opportunity, on their day any team can beat any team. We are looking forward to it, the confidence is there but we have to stay humble as we haven’t achieved it yet.”