All the pressure is on superstar Springboks winger Bryan Habana rather than young Wallabies opposite James O'Connor going into Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby Test.

Former world player of the year Habana is under fire over his form slide and was under pressure to hold his spot for the Bloemfonetin encounter following O'Connor's amazing try from a re-start in Pretoria last Saturday.

Habana dropped the re-start after teammate Juan Smith's try, allowing O'Connor to scamper over for his second and Australia's third try in the 10th minute.

"Bryan Habana's disturbing slump from world superstar player to mere mortal who can't even catch a re-start kick, let alone stop an Australian wing running around him to score, is of enormous concern," South African commentator Peter Bills wrote.

Another, Grant Ball, argued the winger was being overplayed.

"Habana's best moment in the last two years was scoring the series-turning try against the British & Irish Lions at Loftus," Ball wrote.

"With the exception of his tries against Australia in Perth, he's looked largely ineffectual since."

Habana has scored just eight tries in 29 Tests since coach Peter de Villiers took over, compared to 30 in 36 pre-2008.

He has been named to play Australia in Bloemfontein this weekend, but rookie Wallabies winger O'Connor isn't treating it as a personal battle.

"It's good when you're just doing your job," O'Connor said.

"We went to that kick maybe six times in that game and for it to come off once, that's all you need.

"I was just jogging on the spot, I guess and had a bit of good luck, saw the white line and just went for it."

Better known as a fullback, five-eighth or inside centre, the 20-year-old has now played all four of Australia's Tri-Nations Tests on the wing.

"It is a bit different (but) I have settled there now," he said.

"I really enjoyed that game on the weekend even though we did lose, there was a lot of open space and I think there was still more that we could have done.

"Probably the biggest thing is just workrate ... then busting your arse to get back to the wing.

"I got as much ball as I wanted on the weekend. In previous weeks I guess I didn't get as much ball as I wanted but you're in control of your own destiny.

"Robbie always says I've got licence to roam around so I'm trying to make the most of that."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP