South Africa wing Bryan Habana insists he should not be compared to Jonah Lomu after equalling the New Zealand great's Rugby World Cup try-scoring record, describing the former All Black as the game's "first true global superstar".

Habana scored a second-half hat-trick in the Springboks' thumping 64-0 victory over United States on Wednesday, surpassing Doug Howlett (13) and pulling level with Lomu on 15 World Cup tries.

The win saw South Africa qualify for the quarter-finals as Pool B winners, but Habana was keen to pay tribute to Lomu in a post-match Twitter post.

"Truly humbled and privileged to have equalled the legend @JONAHTALILOMU's @RugbyWorldCup record," he wrote.

"I personally don't think I can be equated to a player that changed the game in the most commanding way ever and became rugby's first true global superstar in my opinion.

"Jonah's all round play, try scoring ability, power, physicality and dominance in the game were truly exceptional.

"He was not only a hero and role model for me growing up but an unbelievable professional and immensely humble both on and off the field and I have the outmost (sic) respect for him."

Habana, who went on to thank his coaches, team-mates, family and God, also spoke after the win at London's Olympic Stadium of how he bumped into Lomu as a child during the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.

He said: "Me and my brother actually had a run-in in the bathroom with Jonah, again an unbelievable amount of respect for what he gave to the game, even more so for what he meant to the game."