WORLD Cup winner and South African rugby legend Bryan Habana has sent a special message to Malvern Rugby Club.

The second top international try scorer of all time has urged those at the club to "stay positive" through what has been such a tough time, especially for grass roots clubs like Malvern.

The 2020/21 campaign was scrapped last year after the lockdown and restrictions meant non-elite sport could not continue.

Clubs like Malvern rely heavily on matchdays through bar and ticket sales and so have really felt the full impact of COVID-19.

But from the under 6s all the way to the senior squad, hearing from Habana will have acted as a real lift.

"To everyone at Malvern Rugby Club, I just wanted to wish you all the very best," he said.

"I know over the last year things have been very tough with the pandemic, lockdown and restrictions that have been put in place.

"I think around the world sport has been impacted on so many different levels.

"I have heard that you have all shown incredible positivity despite the lockdown and all the restrictions and all the obstacles you have had to overcome.

"As we approach this new year, with the vaccine being rolled out, we can hope for things to soon return to somewhat normal and that all your passion, energy and your drive to enjoy this beautiful game gets back to where it should be.

"I'd encourage you all to stay positive despite all the disruption and continue dreaming extremely big and working extremely hard.

"Be positive and never stop dreaming, go well!"