John Smit, a household name in South Africa and a name known to almost everyone who follows rugby globally!
Smit is one of a few elite players to reach legendary status in Springbok rugby and his name will be in the rugby record books for many decades after he retires - let's be honoured that he is still playing!
There are so many articles and media pieces covering his many accolades and achievements, so I won't repeat what has already been well documented.
Instead, I want to discuss whether or not Smit has transitioned into the tighthead prop that South Africa needs. There is no question regarding his leadership skills and because of this he is most certainly needed on the field of play as much and as long as possible. The question that remains is which position best suites Smit and more importantly suites the Springboks?
John Smit "the hooker" is how we first came to know of him on the domestic and international rugby scene. His pedigree is unquestionable as he represented South Africa through the age groups and was captain for many of the teams - rumour has it that he was training with senior Springbok squads at the age of 17.
The interesting bit was that when he reached the senior rugby level, he was converted from prop to hooker and at this early stage adapting proved no obstacle. Smit was never a "flashy" hooker, but he did the basics extremely well and was (and still is) a good scrummager. Although Smit seemed destined to have always been great, Jake White played a big part in is route to becoming the best Springbok captain in history and one of the best the world has seen.
What I like about what White did with the Springbok side is bring back tradition and pride. To do this he introduced a bit of old school structure, camaraderie and discipline. When doing so he needed to select a captain that suited his vision and fitted the mould. In hindsight it was White's foresight that had some critics questioning Smit's selection, but it all paid off with a Rugby World Cup medal.
Like Jake White, Smit had his highs and lows as all rugby players and coaches have, but it was his character, White's belief in him and belief in himself that showed what Springbok rugby was lacking. For the many years before Smit was captain, the Springbok vessel seemed rudderless. Smit gave it direction.
John Smit as a hooker was and still is a top class international. He is mobile, hits the rucks hard and his set-piece play is exceptional! Smit would be the starting hooker in all other international sides bar none.
Enter Peter de Villiers (or P-divvy as some call him) in 2008. It was Bismark du Plessis who continued to impress at hooker and rightfully pushed for first team Springbok selection. This scenario prompted our new head coach to tell John Smit he was no longer required at hooker, but that there was space for him at tighthead prop. I've played in the frontrow my whole life and trust me, a hooker doesn't just slot in at tighthead prop...at any level! Yes Smit had played there in his youth and he is a big strong hooker, but there is more to prop than being big and strong.
Smit took the news like the warrior he is and accepted that in order to be a national sports captain he needed to show faith in his (new) coach and be an example to his team mates and to a country that is often too used to taking a stand when things don't go as wanted. He took the prospect of being South Africa's premier tighthead prop as an exciting new challenge and when it's Smit versus Challenge, Smit usually wins.
John Smit's transition into prop from hooker has been relatively smooth. He has on a few occasions been out-scrummed in his transition period, but this was always against seasoned international opposition props and never has he been dominated throughout an entire game. His new challenge seems to have almost given him a new lease on his rugby life. He seems fresh, hungry for success and eager to be the best, but this time as a tighthead prop.
As a frontranker, Smit's loose play is still of the highest quality. He carries the ball well, puts in solid tackles and his work rate is good. With Bismark at hooker, I do believe that we have the two best international hookers currently in World rugby. They both have different styles but both components are needed for the Springbok machine.
Smit is not yet the best tighthead in world rugby, but...watch this space.
Smit is one of a few elite players to reach legendary status in Springbok rugby and his name will be in the rugby record books for many decades after he retires - let's be honoured that he is still playing!
There are so many articles and media pieces covering his many accolades and achievements, so I won't repeat what has already been well documented.
Instead, I want to discuss whether or not Smit has transitioned into the tighthead prop that South Africa needs. There is no question regarding his leadership skills and because of this he is most certainly needed on the field of play as much and as long as possible. The question that remains is which position best suites Smit and more importantly suites the Springboks?
John Smit "the hooker" is how we first came to know of him on the domestic and international rugby scene. His pedigree is unquestionable as he represented South Africa through the age groups and was captain for many of the teams - rumour has it that he was training with senior Springbok squads at the age of 17.
The interesting bit was that when he reached the senior rugby level, he was converted from prop to hooker and at this early stage adapting proved no obstacle. Smit was never a "flashy" hooker, but he did the basics extremely well and was (and still is) a good scrummager. Although Smit seemed destined to have always been great, Jake White played a big part in is route to becoming the best Springbok captain in history and one of the best the world has seen.
What I like about what White did with the Springbok side is bring back tradition and pride. To do this he introduced a bit of old school structure, camaraderie and discipline. When doing so he needed to select a captain that suited his vision and fitted the mould. In hindsight it was White's foresight that had some critics questioning Smit's selection, but it all paid off with a Rugby World Cup medal.
Like Jake White, Smit had his highs and lows as all rugby players and coaches have, but it was his character, White's belief in him and belief in himself that showed what Springbok rugby was lacking. For the many years before Smit was captain, the Springbok vessel seemed rudderless. Smit gave it direction.
John Smit as a hooker was and still is a top class international. He is mobile, hits the rucks hard and his set-piece play is exceptional! Smit would be the starting hooker in all other international sides bar none.
Enter Peter de Villiers (or P-divvy as some call him) in 2008. It was Bismark du Plessis who continued to impress at hooker and rightfully pushed for first team Springbok selection. This scenario prompted our new head coach to tell John Smit he was no longer required at hooker, but that there was space for him at tighthead prop. I've played in the frontrow my whole life and trust me, a hooker doesn't just slot in at tighthead prop...at any level! Yes Smit had played there in his youth and he is a big strong hooker, but there is more to prop than being big and strong.
Smit took the news like the warrior he is and accepted that in order to be a national sports captain he needed to show faith in his (new) coach and be an example to his team mates and to a country that is often too used to taking a stand when things don't go as wanted. He took the prospect of being South Africa's premier tighthead prop as an exciting new challenge and when it's Smit versus Challenge, Smit usually wins.
John Smit's transition into prop from hooker has been relatively smooth. He has on a few occasions been out-scrummed in his transition period, but this was always against seasoned international opposition props and never has he been dominated throughout an entire game. His new challenge seems to have almost given him a new lease on his rugby life. He seems fresh, hungry for success and eager to be the best, but this time as a tighthead prop.
As a frontranker, Smit's loose play is still of the highest quality. He carries the ball well, puts in solid tackles and his work rate is good. With Bismark at hooker, I do believe that we have the two best international hookers currently in World rugby. They both have different styles but both components are needed for the Springbok machine.
Smit is not yet the best tighthead in world rugby, but...watch this space.
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