John Smit the legend.

John Smit was born on 3 April 1978 in Pietersburg, he went to Pretoria Boys High where he was head prefect and played for the first XV from 1996 to 1998. As natural born leader he was destined to become captain of the Springbok team and was identified at a very young age by Jake White, making his debut for South Africa against Canada at the tender age of 22. Since his debut in 2000 John Smit has played 111 test matches for South Africa, captaining his country on 83 occasions. South Africa won 69 of the 111 tests in which John Smit represented his country, he captained South Africa 83 times winning 54 tests.

He left South Africa immediately after he returned as Victorious captain of the 2007 world cup to join French club Clermont, but was immediately recalled by Pieter de Villiers who at the time was controversially appointed as springbok coach for “non rugby reasons”.

From then his career was marred with many controversies surrounding not only his performances but also due to a rising star by the name of Bismarck du Plessis widely recognised as the best hooker in world rugby.

Not all of the controversy was his doing, as South Africa suffered a severe shortage of world class tight head props and because of the faith Pieter de Villiers had in John Smit as a leader aided in the controversy by persisting with him as a tight head prop. Now any person who has ever gone down in the front row of the tight five might know the physical requirements between tight head prop and hooker are markedly different and this did little to aid John Smit in his quest to remain respected on the field of play.

Regardless of all this controversy and many people including myself suggesting it might be time for John Smit to retire, he remained a positive influence on his team and an example to others on and off the field, never allowing any of the issues to cloud his judgement or getting him down.

Today was again one of those days where amidst a very disappointing result and circumstances where his team was absolutely dominant on the field for 80 minutes, but yet at the wrong end of the score board he was measured and articulate in his post match speech even though he must have been absolutely gutted.

John, you have done your country proud and have been a gentleman throughout your career, today’s result was not for a lack of trying, it was not for a lack of guts or determination. Today was fate, fate that dealt you and your team a hand that no matter how hard you tried, it just wasn’t your day.

You will be on a flight home soon, and I hope that when you arrive home with your team you receive every bit of respect you have earned the right to receive. I don my hat to you, and best of luck with all your future endeavours.

Well done to the Springboks, within a whisker of getting through to play the AB's and you can't help but wonder what could have been if you'd had a coach for these last 4 years.

Hear hear! I've always rated John Smit very highly, both as a player and as a person. He comes across as a real gentleman and always has a kind, intelligent word to say post match. All the best to you.

Biltong, hard luck today, you guys probably deserved to sneak it.

Really bad luck today Biltong and all the Boks and a a great summation of a wonderful career for John Smit.

Yes bad luck Biltong. Just one of those games with no rhyme or reason to the result. Was out for a while amongst the Saffers and Ozzies in Wellington last night and as you'd guess a real contrast in post match celebrations though both groups of fans really getting on very well.

At least pdv's gone and SA can get on with something thats probably long overdue- proper rebuilding where real potential is realised with an open approach to moving forward, embracing the future.

It was a real shame that Smith did not go out a double world cup winner.

But than it as been said that NO TEAM, have ever won back to back world cups.

biltongbek wrote:
John, you have done your country proud and have been a gentleman throughout your career, today’s result was not for a lack of trying, it was not for a lack of guts or determination. Today was fate, fate that dealt you and your team a hand that no matter how hard you tried, it just wasn’t your day.

You will be on a flight home soon, and I hope that when you arrive home with your team you receive every bit of respect you have earned the right to receive. I don my hat to you, and best of luck with all your future endeavours.

+1

Legend.

I agree entirely, and can't say it any better than biltongbek did.

great post biltong, the man is amazing

biltongbek wrote:John Smit was born on 3 April 1978 in Pietersburg, he went to Pretoria Boys High where he was head prefect and played for the first XV from 1996 to 1998.

He was still playing at school when he was 20? I know he's not the most eloquent of chaps, but that's just sad....

bathmad wrote:

biltongbek wrote:John Smit was born on 3 April 1978 in Pietersburg, he went to Pretoria Boys High where he was head prefect and played for the first XV from 1996 to 1998.

He was still playing at school when he was 20? I know he's not the most eloquent of chaps, but that's just sad....

My bad, from 1994 to 1996. And I always thought he is very eloquent. Not dainty, but eloquent.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

biltongbek wrote:
John, you have done your country proud and have been a gentleman throughout your career, today’s result was not for a lack of trying, it was not for a lack of guts or determination. Today was fate, fate that dealt you and your team a hand that no matter how hard you tried, it just wasn’t your day.

You will be on a flight home soon, and I hope that when you arrive home with your team you receive every bit of respect you have earned the right to receive. I don my hat to you, and best of luck with all your future endeavours.

+1

Legend.

+1

He's always shown grace