Power personified
4 Jun 2008
In the wake of a brilliant World Cup, Juan Smith remains the Springboks’ most hardened warrior at the frontline.
The dull thunk of rock meeting metal reverberates in the background. Over the phone, it really does sound as if the Cheetahs’ team bus is under attack. A metronomic thump greets my every word as I shout down the receiver to Juan Smith, who’s clearly on a different planet. Six months ago, Smith lapped the Stade de France clutching a shiny new addition to the Springbok family. Right now, he’s bouncing along a gravel road on the outskirts of Kimberley. I feel like asking him what he ever did to deserve this.
Smith, typically, is never one to complain. The archetypal hard man is likened to Springbok legends André Venter and Gary Teichmann, men who’ve always prized walking the walk over talking the talk. Both featured prominently in the Nick Mallett era when the Boks won the Tri-Nations and equalled the world record of 17 consecutive victories. Both were grafters whose performances inadvertently secured reverence reserved for legends of the game.
Is Smith in the same class, and at 26, is the comparison premature? Smith absorbs the question as the bus ploughs through another pothole minefield. A World Cup-winner’s medal sits on the mantelpiece in Bloem, and there are plenty who believe the Man of the Tournament accolade should rest at its side. However, the mere mention of Venter and Teichmann shatters this image, taking Smith back 10 years to when the two Springbok loosies were gods in the eyes of a young JBM Hertzog student.
‘I always looked up to Gary Teichmann and André Venter,’ he gushes. ‘They weren’t all that talkative, but their actions spoke loudest. I was privileged enough to play alongside André at the end of his career. He’s remarkably self-disciplined and his attitude is a real strength. I still look up to him, even more so given everything that’s happened [Venter was confined to a wheelchair in 2006 due to a crippling virus]. He remains positive no matter what the situation, and if I can adopt that attitude, it’s going to make me an even better player.’
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské played hooker for the 1998 Bok side and is well qualified to elaborate on the Teichmann comparison.
‘The players followed Gary out of respect,’ Drotské recalls. ‘He led by example. When the guys see Juan dishing out a big defensive hit, it inspires them in a similar way.
‘Juan’s grown a lot in the last three years and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him going on to lead the Boks. Personally, I like a captain who’s physical. I prefer a man who’ll do all the talking through his actions on the field.’
Smith is already recognised as a leader in the Springbok structures and has skippered the Cheetahs for the past three seasons. But is he truly a candidate at Test level? It would appear it’s a responsibility he’s reluctant to take on.
‘I can’t say I’d turn down an opportunity to lead my country, but I’ve never seen myself as a captain,’ Smith explains. ‘I’m enjoying the responsibility at Free State, but to be absolutely honest, I don’t think I have what it takes at the highest level. You look at a guy like John Smit who has all the great qualities of a Test captain. We were fortunate last year to have seven or eight senior guys in that World Cup-winning side. I would love to continue in that sort of role, helping the captain on the field as a senior player.’
Former Bok and Cheetahs prop Ollie le Roux is aware of Smith’s reluctance, but he also realises why coaches prefer him in a position of power.
‘He was never groomed to be a leader; he was thrown into the job,’ says Le Roux, who’s also captained Free State. ‘John Smit’s captained at all levels, but it wasn’t like that for Juan. He leads by example and expects others to follow.
‘For instance, we had a terrible captain’s practice ahead of a big game last season. The guys were absolutely diabolical, dropping balls and getting everything wrong. I’m a believer that the captain’s practice doesn’t necessarily impact on the game, so I wasn’t too worried.
‘But Juan called the guys together. He was clearly pissed off and shat them out. After training, I spoke with him privately and asked him why he reacted that way. He told me he demanded excellence in training. That was the way it was for the Springboks, and he expected the same from the Cheetahs.’
Modern media seems to favour the glamour over the grit, as the thousands of pages dedicated to players such as Dan Carter and Gavin Henson attest. Thousands of Bryan Habana posters adorn the walls of teenagers everywhere following the World Cup. Dust aside this superficial layer and you’ll obtain a clearer rugby view that allows the unsung heroes to come into focus. Nobody can accuse Smith of deferring any of the dirty duties he’s afraid to take on himself.
‘He’s such a determined person,’ says Cheetahs assistant coach Hawies Fourie. ‘When he injured his knee in the Blues match this year, he could barely walk, but he refused to leave the field. Most players would have thought about Springbok selection at the end of the Super 14. Naka was trying to get him off and so was the team doctor, but being the kind of person Juan is, he waved them away. The younger guys see this and they can’t help but admire him. There’s no doubt that attitude will rub off.’
Springbok rugby is entering a new era. Bill’s safely stowed in the Saru trophy cabinet and with the appointment of Peter de Villiers, there are bound to be changes in personnel and playing style. The Bok coach would be a fool to neglect Smith, but the Cheetahs blindside is willing to earn his keep.
‘It’s an exciting time for South African rugby. We had an awesome season last year, but for me, it’s an honour every time I run out for the Boks. As a player, I’ll just look to keep doing what I did last year.’
At the time of writing, Smith’s future with the Cheetahs was less certain. Both the Stormers and the Sharks are scrapping for his signature, while financial minnows Free State are praying he remains loyal to the union that gave him his big break.
Teichmann played in a different era, but as captain of dominant Bok and Sharks teams, he understands the demands of self-motivation. Smith could stagnate if he remains at the Cheetahs when he should be building on the superlative form seen at the World Cup.
‘There’d be a public outcry if Juan left Bloem, but the reality is a top player wants to play in a winning team,’ Teichmann says. ‘For a guy like Juan, he needs to be on the front foot to realise his potential. It’s very difficult to shine if you’re getting pounded in other areas of the game.
‘I’m quite honoured to be compared to a player like Juan. Looking in from the outside, he seems the type of guy who puts his head down and gets on with it. His work rate is excellent and he carries the ball strongly. Unlike a lot of loose forwards, he also has the ability to read play exceptionally well.’
‘Juan is one of the best ball-carriers in world rugby, as his tremendous strength allows him to stay on his feet,’ remarks Drotské. ‘It’s hard to highlight one attribute as he is such a gifted player; one of the best loose forwards in the world. He really has no real weaknesses.
‘His performance in the line-out has come a long way since the early days, and he’s now a sure thing at the back. On defence, he’s learnt to read the opposition and has fast become one of the strongest contesters for opposition ball.’
Teichmann reckons Smith could still be a force at No 8 such is his natural feel for the game. But it’s at blindside where Smith has few peers in world rugby, although it is widely known he relishes a bruising confrontation with the All Blacks, and with Jerry Collins in particular. Teichmann says Smith’s versatility makes him potentially a better player than the belligerent Collins.
‘They are two quality players, but they are two different players. Jerry uses his strength to get across the advantage line at close quarters. Juan has more impact when he’s out in the backs. The reason for this is that he has the pace and skill to compete with backs of international quality.’
Getting older has taught Smith many things. He’s no longer the brash youth who’d initiate a bar brawl or drink his peers under the table. He’s become the quintessential family man, a model for the youngsters both on and off the field. It’s been a steep learning curve for Smith, and he’s only too keen to impart any hard-earned advice to the new wave of budding Springboks.
‘The role of the senior player is more demanding, but that in turn gives you more confidence. I can honestly say my own game has improved because of this leadership role,’ he says. ‘I don’t want to take too much credit, but when Duane [Vermeulen] arrived from
the Pumas, he was never a line-out option.
I tried to help him in winning his own ball and in the contest, and at the moment he is one of the best jumpers in our team. That’s my job; a senior player is always expected to help the youngsters.’
He is the first to admit pain comes with the territory. The rugby spotlight is no place for men of his nature, but those in the know will always raise a glass in acknowledgement to his efforts at ground zero.
Smith has already ascended to the pantheon occupied by Teichmann and Venter, but the next chapter of his career should determine whether he goes on to rise to even greater heights.
By Jon Cardinelli
– This article first appeared in the June issue of SA Rugby rugby magazine.
134 Comments
Pages: « 1 [2] 3 » Show All
4 Jun 2008, 13:07 pm
#43 TASSIES:
they aren’t related in anyway just **** stirrers causing KUK here once again.
4 Jun 2008, 13:08 pm
That hand off on Francious Louw was on his face , not his chest …..
4 Jun 2008, 13:13 pm
Kankowski is probably just as fast as Spies.
Wat noem ‘n hasie in die Spur? Inspirasie.Wat noem jy ‘n hasie in ‘n pyp. Blokasie. Wat noem jy die nobelpryswenner haas? Vilikazi.wat ‘n lag.
4 Jun 2008, 13:13 pm
#31 katman: hahaha, love it..”bus is full, p*ss off”
4 Jun 2008, 13:16 pm
Ja, Juan is another “Yster” from the Freestate. Whilst the Bulls may have the “Lock-factory” of SA, the Freestate have produced many fine blindside flankers – Piet Greyling, Theuns Stofberg, Andre Venter and Juan comes to mind.
4 Jun 2008, 13:17 pm
I wish I knew who came up with the idea to spell K@K , with a “u” in the middle. KUK. so ***!! geeze. kuuuuuuuurk. say that out loud to yourself , kuuuuuurk. Its *** , so get with the programme and pronounce that A Kaaaaaaa…k. Kaaaaaaa – k … there we go.
4 Jun 2008, 13:22 pm
I just have a eeling Juan and Bakkies will be back to their best saterday
4 Jun 2008, 13:23 pm
Sorry “feeling”
4 Jun 2008, 13:24 pm
Katman I’m spreading nothing mate. All sounded pretty legit to me unless the author was a master fiction writer. Confirm how you established it’s nonsense and I’ll reserve judgement. What’s reported to be going down in Zim certainly isn’t ‘prejudicial ****’. So I’ll ignore the insult and move on.
4 Jun 2008, 13:27 pm
#56 wp_boytjie:
**** OFF lol its started with GBS he is a bull supporter so it must be *** the wont say K@K like that again HAPPY
4 Jun 2008, 13:28 pm
lol lol , ya pronounce the “A” and i wont complain. Lekke
4 Jun 2008, 13:30 pm
and before I move on, I happen to like the way young Mujati goes about his business. Good player. Decent person by all accounts. So I object to be ringfenced with G3G and his ilk. But same goes for the stuff in reverse. Now endof subject and move onto why we’re here.
4 Jun 2008, 13:31 pm
Juan Smith is best in World at number 7.
4 Jun 2008, 13:33 pm
#59 TASSIES:
tassies Brian was in boarding school in ZIM very prominent one his family did not and do not own farms it was established the name is pure coincidence and the story doesn’t ever imply that they were related just that the surnames are the same and no matter what happened to the family in zim he still supports the brian mujati that now plays for the springboks
4 Jun 2008, 13:33 pm
#61 wp_boytjie: could never understand the use of the U when I first landed on this site several years ago. I even used it once (I think) influenced by others apparently more worldly. The A/@ makes far more sense. So in deference to youself, I revert to K@K logic.
4 Jun 2008, 13:34 pm
#59 TASSIES: nowhere in the article (which by the way is taken from a zim online paper/blog and we can all imagine the high standard of zimbabwean journalsim) is a link created between Brian and this Joseph fella…the only thing they have in common is their last name which is a typically sounding name of the shona people, not to mention the kids parents don’t even farm (I have my sources)…he went to Peterhouse Boys which is 1 of zims top schools and trust me when I say his pa isn’t a hobo running around kicking down farm doors.
4 Jun 2008, 13:36 pm
i think “kuk” started when no swearing was allowed? at least i thought that was it but i am happy to say that it is a kak discussion.
4 Jun 2008, 13:37 pm
#64 MR Lam: thanks for clearing that one up. Regardless, I don’t believe one member of a family takes on the responsibilities of another’s problems. Anyway we all get a fly in our ear by what’s going down in this neck of Africa.
4 Jun 2008, 13:39 pm
#23 Thamesside Bok Fan:
Actually no hey – the other guy who would always make my side is Mossie, aka Jaque Fourie
4 Jun 2008, 13:41 pm
#68 TASSIES:
no problems
#67 rangerman:
your right when IG the draconian ruled here (apologies Dawn)
all swearing was forbidden and resulted in swift banishment from his lordships website
4 Jun 2008, 13:41 pm
#56 wp_boytjie:
kuk man
4 Jun 2008, 13:42 pm
#70 MR Lam:
LONG LIVE IG
4 Jun 2008, 13:45 pm
#67 rangerman: Ja a kak discussion. Looking forward to 5.15 Saturday. Even delayed my flight to Germany to watch the game on S1. Priorities. Priorities. Going to be a hella scrap. The lighties are going to catch a little suprise from the step up to Test level but equally the Taffs are in for a suprise of their own when Juan and his mates follow Butchies kick-off into the Freestate clear blue sky down onto a hard yellow turf.
4 Jun 2008, 13:46 pm
#63 FrenklyMuDeah:
He’s good Frenkly…………………………………but da best. That can be decided by Historians when he retires.
I must admit I was surprised to see he is only 26. His best two years are in front of him.
4 Jun 2008, 13:50 pm
#71 stormbokbefok: Kak man. Read the new rules.
4 Jun 2008, 13:52 pm
#74 cane: howzit Cane. You’re late. And I’m outta here. Lettuce leaf is done/dusted.
4 Jun 2008, 13:55 pm
#70 MR Lam:
Ambassador,
Iggy was firm………………………….but fair.
He gave us all enough rope to hang Ourselves.
Which some did several times over.
Also Herr Iggy usually gave the perpertraitor of the indiscretion a warning……..perhaps several warnings……perhaps several Lives even………..Ask Fern how many lives Iggy gave him?
4 Jun 2008, 13:58 pm
Now here is a farkin player. Leaves the glitz out of it and just gets on with the job. Harder than frikken nails. WHAT A LEGEND.
Frans Steyn take a leaf outta Juan’s book.
4 Jun 2008, 14:05 pm
#77 cane:
I remember well Cane just taking the piss see if it brings Dawn out IG was her man, I was warned many times by him he favoured a few bloggers and nailed others ask Supa and GBS hahaha of course there was one BB supporter cant remember him but he got banned for life by IG but he used to jaag KUK aan here
4 Jun 2008, 14:09 pm
#79 MR Lam: Stan is the BB supporter you looking for. He deserved to be banned for life. He was later banned on Ruggaworld as well. Are we now allowed to mention the “other” site?
4 Jun 2008, 14:10 pm
Nope, seems we are not allowed to mention the “other” site, I got the “Your comment is awaiting moderation”
4 Jun 2008, 14:13 pm
He’s not a legend until he wins a test on NZ soil something he hasn’t done and probably won’t do.
4 Jun 2008, 14:21 pm
#81 NZINCHINA: just like the AB’s arent legends til they win a world cup eh?
dont be too sure we wont scalp your boys this year mate.
4 Jun 2008, 14:22 pm
#79 MR Lam:
You thinking of Stan?
4 Jun 2008, 14:24 pm
#82 rangerman:
We choke at world cups your boys choke on NZ soil, am I wrong?
4 Jun 2008, 14:26 pm
#83 PissAnt:
That’s him he then moved to your side of the world PA and blogged on rugga world might still be there
#81 NZINCHINA: with that rationality it means the AB’s aren’t legends cause they haven’t yet won a fully integrated WC, rethink your post being upside down in China has made all the blood rush to your head
4 Jun 2008, 14:29 pm
#84 NZINCHINA: yip you are. yoor boys OUTPLAY us in NZ. but the first part was right.
4 Jun 2008, 14:29 pm
#85 MR Lam:
Nope last I remember he got banned there too!
Dont know by who though…
4 Jun 2008, 14:31 pm
#84 NZINCHINA: listen my china, you are opening a can of worms. why disrespect juan?
he frequently smashes your boys around and this year will be no different. get ready mate, the bus is full.
4 Jun 2008, 14:31 pm
#85 NZINCHINA: :rant:
4 Jun 2008, 14:33 pm
#55 Tjorts:
Not forgetting Rassie Erasmus, Ruben Kruger and Naka Drotski (schools), Eben Jansen, Hannes Botha, Kleintjie Grobler, Klippies Kritzinger, Kabamba Floors, Hendro Scholtz, Gerrie Britz,….
4 Jun 2008, 14:34 pm
best 6 on the planet hands down.
Best player in last yrs WC
Has no weaknesses
Close to perfect as they come
MR CONSISTENCY
Nowhere near as naturally talented as lets say a Spies,Kaino,Messam etc
But is the REAL DEAL
4 Jun 2008, 14:34 pm
#81 NZINCHINA:
Pieter bloody Rossouw won a test on NZ soil and that hardly makes him a legend.
In fact, he scored the try to whip the Kiwi’s that day.
4 Jun 2008, 14:36 pm
Even worse, Stefan bloody Terblanche won a test on NZ soil!
Your yardstick on legends is a bit skewed mate.
4 Jun 2008, 14:36 pm
#86 rangerman:
No you choke in NZ thats why you have won once there since 1992. Happy to concede we choke come world cup time.
4 Jun 2008, 14:37 pm
#91 mshiniwami: howdy mshini!
i am loving your well considered posts of late. good work.
i am sure you mean best 7 though?
but ja, he is indeed the real deal. blessed to have him as a bok.
4 Jun 2008, 14:38 pm
#94 NZINCHINA: mate, last time we won there was 1998 i think. but no worries, in china, rugby she is not very beeg.
4 Jun 2008, 14:41 pm
#94 NZINCHINA: i actually dont think the kiwis choke, they are shown up come levle playing fields time (we all know that the tri nations and s14 are skewed by the travel issue eh? thats why its no surprise your lot have overtaken us on the win/loss ledger since the demise of traditional tours).
no worries, we enjoy rugby and our rivalry.
the bus is full this year. you heard it here first.
4 Jun 2008, 14:41 pm
#94 NZINCHINA:
you mean 1998
4 Jun 2008, 14:44 pm
#97 rangerman:
could’nt agree more rangerman, level playing fields in the old test days meant no travel advantage as the boys were ell rested and ready, anyway that aside, YES THE BUS IS FULL
Pages: « 1 [2] 3 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.