John Smit

[Amobokoboko]

After last weekends Tri Nations game, people on the board suggested the big man should think about his international career as a Springbok. so far he has played 100 tests and will normally add two more games to the list the coming weekends. Matfield is one game behind and will have his 100th test this weekend against the Wallabies.

Kudos for both guys, they have won everything they could win in rugby and it's awesome they still keep on playing.

In my opinion it wouldn't be a good idea to leave Smit out of the squad, he and Matfield have been very good captains, have lots of experience and when they are in shape they really are an added value to the squad.

With one year before the RWC and the end of year tour coming soon ( most likely including both gents) I think SA will not have enough time to start working with a new skipper ( Schalk maybe?) and find a vice captain. The best thing would be to keep both in the guys and let some new guys play and give them game time.

What do you think about it?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Smit, before the Saffers jump down your throat


But i agree, the only reason he's in the squad is because of his leadership, and that isn't a good reason to keep someone in the squad. If they really want that, then move him to a coaching position or something, so he can talk to the team before the match and at halftime, there are better players for the position.
I think he'll bow out after the WC (internationally at least), which will probably be bad for the Boks, as he'll take a place away from a better player, then leave after the damage is done.
If he did go earlier, then Matfield cap with Burger VC would be the best options imo.

 

[Sam Owen]

Apparently according to All Blacks (my source is good and no I dont have a friend in the All Blacks) that know John he's a real nice guy and often speaks highly of the All Blacks to the ABs after their games.

 

[lynam1104]

When I wached cashing the lions 2 I got the imprssin he was acgood guy. I think he's past it tho and haveinh him in a role like illy suggested wold be good for the boks and him.

 

[Shaggy]

Sad to see how some have turned on Smit (and Matfield) ... a lot of south african supporter think that Fourie Du Preez would be a good choice(when he's fit again) ... he's certainly a great half back (at least they'd start with their best half back)

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Sometimes you have to be reasonable and accept the fact that some players cannot keep up with the game anymore. John Smit is one of them. Victor Matfield is still a good enough player to be in the national squad although we have respectable replacements for him when the time comes for him to retire. Andries Bekker, Steven Sykes, Danie Rossouw.

With Bismarck du Plessis we have a great hooker to replace Smit as a player. Matfield can lead the Boks for another year through the World Cup. After that he might retire and I see chances for Juan Smith to lead the squad. I prefer Smith to lead the Boks now already but I think Matfield will have the privilege with PdV as a coach. I don't like a player to be selected as captain for only 1 year.

 

[Sam Owen]

Yeah you want your captain building up as much experience in the test arena as he can. As well as already experienced enough in test Rugby as a regular fixture/player before he was even made captain. Matfield fits in to that description very well.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Sorry for the typo, but you're right.
I just think that both guys will focus on their national rugby career after the RWV. Which is a good thing so the Boks have 4 years to start building a new team around a new skipper.

 

[User1245]

Sad to see how some have turned on Smit (and Matfield) ... a lot of south african supporter think that Fourie Du Preez would be a good choice(when he's fit again) ... he's certainly a great half back (at least they'd start with their best half back)

Unfortunately Du Preez is retiring from International rugby after the WC to pursue money in Japan

 

[Sam Owen]

Unfortunately Du Preez is retiring from International rugby after the WC to pursue money in Japan

What???...thats dissapointing news he's still relatively new to the international scene. They need to somehow sort out these money issues for SA, NZ and AUS because we are seeing some good players leave.

 

[User1245]

What???...thats dissapointing news he's still relatively new to the international scene. They need to somehow sort out these money issues for SA, NZ and AUS because we are seeing some good players leave.

I wouldn't say new, he's been the Boks first choice since Joost retired after the 2003 WC. But yeah still disappointing since he'll still be 28-29 years old.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

He would be best served as 2nd choice hooker in my opinion. He's not done yet. A break and a chance to re-charge the battery is what is needed.

 

[Shaggy]

I wouldn't say new, he's been the Boks first choice since Joost retired after the 2003 WC. But yeah still disappointing since he'll still be 28-29 years old.

that's a shame, I guess he won't be the only one to do that after the World Cup though ... at least you have another goodin in Francois Hougaard

Maybe Juan Smith is a better long term prospect for the captaincy then

 

[Sam Owen]

I wouldn't say new, he's been the Boks first choice since Joost retired after the 2003 WC. But yeah still disappointing since he'll still be 28-29 years old.

Oh ok I only noticed the champ last year or maybe the year before that.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

What do you guys think of Jean de Villiers as a backup for Smith? I think we all agree Juan Smith is best suited to be the next captain

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Oh ok I only noticed the champ last year or maybe the year before that.

Ai... Fourie du Preez was the best scrum-half at the 2007 World Cup!

 

[Sam Owen]

Jean De Villiers would do just fine. JDV hasnt been his best form lately and is still playing pretty good.

 

[Sam Owen]

Ai... Fourie du Preez was the best scrum-half at the 2007 World Cup!

Yeah I just remembered but before that (2007) I didnt even notice the guy.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

the good thing with both these players is that they won't move abroad any time soon. Jean de Villiers just returned from Europe where he played for Munster.

Juan Smith is a Bloem boy and has always played for the Cheetahs. He's the type of guy who will never leave his team and a real hometown boy.