John Smit

John Smit
Personal information
Full name	John William Smit
Date of birth	3 April 1978 (1978-04-03) (age 31)
Place of birth	Pietersburg, South Africa
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	117 kg (18 st 6 lb)
School	Pretoria Boys High School
University	University of Natal (briefly)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Hooker, prop
Clubs		Caps	(points)
2007–2008	Clermont	3	(0)
correct as of 2007-11-18.
Provincial/State sides
1998	Natal Sharks	?	(?)
Super Rugby
1998-2007, 2008-	Sharks	81	(25)
correct as of 2007-04-27.
National team(s)
2000-present	South Africa	90	(25)
correct as of 2009-09-15.

John William Smit (born 3 April 1978 in Pietersburg, South Africa) is the 50th and current captain of the South African national rugby union team, the Springboks. He has played most of his career as a hooker, but played twice for the Springboks off the bench as a prop prior to the South Africa coaching staff's decision to use him as a tighthead prop for the 2008 end of year Tests.^[1] On 22 November 2008, he surpassed prop Os du Randt as the most-capped forward in Springboks history.

Smit went to Pretoria Boys High School where he was head prefect in 1996 and played in the First XV from 1994 to 1996.^{[citation needed]}

He lives in Durban with his wife Roxanne, their daughter Emma-Joan and their son Tyron, where he plays his provincial and Super 14 rugby with the Natal Sharks and the Sharks respectively.

Springbok Career

Smit played his first Springbok game in 2000 at the age of 22, when South Africa beat Canada 51-18 at Basil Kenyon Stadium in East London. Between October 2003 and June 2007, Smit played in a record 46 consecutive Test matches for South Africa, though it was not until 2004, when he was made captain of the squad by then new coach Jake White, that he became a regular member of the starting XV.

Smit's record-breaking sequence of appearances came to an end with South Africa's first match of the 2007 Tri Nations, against Australia, when he suffered an injury that prevented him taking any further part in the tournament. He recovered from his injury in time to take part in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, in which he started in 6 out of 7 South African matches and in which his leadership qualities came to the fore, as his calm under pressure and inspirational captaincy saw South Africa win the William Web Ellis Trophy for the second time.

When Peter de Villiers was appointed as the new South Africa coach in 2008, one of his first decisions was to re-appoint John Smit as the captain of the national side.^[2] Smit led South Africa in their opening game of the 2008 Tri Nations, against New Zealand in Wellington, but suffered a groin injury when he was lifted and dumped by New Zealand lock Brad Thorn after the whistle had blown: Thorn received a one-match suspension^[3] but Smit missed the rest of the tournament, being replaced as captain by veteran Springbok lock, Victor Matfield.

John Smit in the Springbok change kit, coming out for a pre-match warmup.

In 2009, John Smit led South Africa to a series victory against the visiting British and Irish Lions, and followed this by leading his team to success in the 2009 Tri Nations, in which South Africa won five of their six matches, including a clean sweep of three wins against New Zealand.

In the first test against New Zealand, John Smit equalled the record of 59 Tests as captain held by Australia's George Gregan and England's Will Carling. The following week, he became the most-capped captain in international rugby history, and, by the end of the series, had lifted the record to 64 Tests.^[4]

As of September 2009, Smit is one of South Africa's most successful captains ever, having led the Springboks to victory in 46 of the 64 games that he captained, a win percentage of 72%.^[5] He has won more Tests as captain than any other Springbok has played as captain.^[4]

Clermont

During the run-up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup, he was linked with the French club Clermont.^[6] He eventually signed a two-year deal with Clermont, effective after the World Cup.^[7] Despite his move to France, the South African Rugby Union announced on 20 February 2008 that he would retain his Boks captaincy.^{[citation needed]}. After just one year with Clermont, Smit rejoined The Natal Sharks and the Super 14 side Sharks.

2009 B&I Lions Tour

Smit captained South Africa in their series win over the British and Irish Lions.

Matches as Captain

Missed Matches as Captain

South Africa Honours as Captain

Rugby World Cup

• 2007 Champions

Tri Nations

• Winners: 2004, 2009
• Runners-up: 2005

British and Irish Lions Series

• 2009 Series 2–1

Test Series Record (Home)

• 2004 2–0 Win Ireland
• 2005 1–0 Win France
• 2006 2–0 Win Scotland
• 2007 2–0 Win England
• 2008 2–0 Win Wales

References

External links

• John Smit at SARugby.co.za
• John Smit's Blog
• SA Rugby
• Sharks Rugby profile
• Sharks statistics
• Springbok Hall of Fame