Back where he belongs
16 Jul 2010
John Smit wants to keep wearing the Bok No 2 jersey.
‘Would you start at hooker if you weren’t captain?’ It’s a question that has John Smit rolling his eyes. ‘Aw, come on,’ says Smit, who’s had to deal with the question since assuming the Bok captaincy in 2004. It’s a question that’s become even more relevant with the rise of Bismarck du Plessis.
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His face undergoes a transformation; the annoyed countenance morphing into a look of patience reserved for the ignorant and uneducated. He finally leans back in his chair and puts his hands behind his head, completely at ease. He smiles in a way that says I’ll never understand.
Statements about Smit’s playing ability are usually tempered with talk of his value as a leader. Popular perception is that you need to accommodate Smit in the Bok starting line-up because he’s the skipper, not because he’s the best player in his position.
The decision to shift Smit to tighthead in 2008 seemed to affirm the conjecture. Coach Peter de Villiers admitted there were better tightheads, but felt the move was necessary since he envisioned Smit and Du Plessis playing in tandem at the 2011 World Cup.
Du Plessis sustained a serious neck injury towards the end of the recent Super 14, which ruled him out of the Tri-Nations. It was a blow for the Boks, but one that brought about a necessary change in thinking. Smit moved back to hooker, and the move won’t be as temporary as some may expect.
So putting the question to the 32-year-old again, I ask Smit if the rugby community will ever give him his due. Now that he’s back in his favourite position, will they acknowledge him as one of South Africa’s finest hookers? It’s a question that doesn’t receive an answer as much as an explanation as to why it’s the wrong question.
‘The people close to me appreciate me for the player that I am,’ he says confidently. ‘I don’t feel unappreciated, and I’m certainly not unhappy with what I’ve achieved. If I had a chance to rewrite my script, I wouldn’t change much. The move to tighthead was a massive challenge, but if I look back at 2009 when we beat the British & Irish Lions and won the Tri-Nations, it was one of the best years of my career, if not my life.
‘In 2008, I was at the stage where I was thinking a lot less about what was good for me, and more about what was good for the team. That’s why I put my hand up to play prop. I know there will come a time when what’s best for the team is for me to stand aside completely, and that decision lies with the Springbok or Sharks coaching staff. For now, my ambition is to be part of a successful team.
‘I get far more satisfaction out of winning a match or a series than being named Man of the Match or reading about my 9/10 review in the Sunday papers. It’s nice to be the hero, but it’s my job to make the other guys heroes. I want to be the best hooker in the world, but I get more satisfaction out of a win than personal plaudits.’
CJ van der Linde recently signed a six-month contract with the Cheetahs, while another Ireland-based prop in BJ Botha could be moving back to South Africa in the near future. With these two available, the South African front-row stocks have been bolstered considerably, although if required, Smit could still slot in at No 3.
There aren’t too many people who think Smit’s move to tighthead was a success.
Os du Randt, the new Bok scrum coach, believes Smit is a better bet at No 2, while another former South African hardman in Rob Kempson felt the decision to shift Smit was flawed.
‘John moved there to fill a void, and unfortunately, it didn’t work out, as results will confirm,’ Kempson says. ‘It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the problem was technically, as you can never tell unless you’re scrumming against a player.
‘Hooker is his strongest position and if he’s going to captain South Africa at the next World Cup, that is where he must play. Apart from his contributions in other areas, he’s unparalleled as a scrummaging hooker, with Gary Botha probably the second in this respect. If John is playing hooker, it will certainly make the job of whoever is playing tighthead that much easier.’
Bok forwards coach Gary Gold, on the other hand, doesn’t believe the move was a complete failure.
‘So many people focus on the Benn Robinson incidents [where the Wallabies’ No 1 embarrassed Smit during the 2009 Tri-Nations], but it isn’t easy to scrum against those smaller looseheads,’ says Gold. ‘The biggest priority of the scrum is synergy, so you can’t blame one guy, as all eight players need to scrum well. You also have to realise that he’s played less than 10 Tests at tighthead. There are a lot of technical things that need time to develop, technical things that help when you’re up against a shorter guy like Robinson, who can use your own physical strength against you.’
From a scrumming point of view, Smit admits he did all he could just to ensure the Bok scrum didn’t move backwards.
‘There was a lot of trepidation when I moved to tighthead in 2008,’ he recalls. ‘I had played tighthead before, making my debut in Super Rugby alongside Ollie le Roux and Chris Rossouw for the Sharks, but when I put my hand up to play it again in 2008, I was secretly hoping not to snap my neck. It’s a position where experience is crucial, experience I didn’t have, so I had to use a few other tricks to survive.
‘Over the years, when I was playing hooker, I saw what the loosehead would try to do to the tighthead, and I also knew what other tightheads didn’t like from a hooker. I used the knowledge gained by playing 80-plus Tests at hooker to my advantage.
‘If I look back at my time at tighthead, I’d have to say it was far more demanding to do my job as a captain from that position. We were under a lot of pressure at the scrum, and I did all I could to hold my own. It’s not as if we destroyed looseheads, but we often did enough to get that right shoulder.
‘We did fantastically well in other departments, but often people looked at the scrum and said we didn’t dominate. Obviously you want a Bok team to dominate everything, but what about all the rucks we hit, the tackles we made and the ball-carries?
‘The lowlight of my time at prop was the line of questioning. All the attention I got playing tighthead, it seemed like the media didn’t have anything else to write about. I had to try and diffuse the media, saying they should judge me at the end of a two-year period, because no matter what I said and no matter what the results were, the same story would come out every weekend.
‘Then you have a situation where your team-mates are trying to defend you and your coach tries to defend you, it was frustrating. Maybe the media persisted because it was an idea Peter de Villiers had driven, and any idea Peter drives is usually scrutinised by them.’
While Smit battled at the scrum, he delivered some industrious performances around the park. Gold said the Springbok management felt their decision to move Smit was vindicated and couldn’t understand why the public and media harped on about a perceived lack of dominance at the scrum.
‘There are eight to 10 scrums per game, but over 100 breakdowns, so we felt that with John’s mobility, defence and decision-making at the breakdown, he would be a great asset at prop,’ says Gold. ‘He adds plenty of value as a ball-carrier. That first try in the first Test against the Lions is a case in point; he had guys hanging on to him as he went over the line, and had left Brian O’Driscoll trailing in his wake.
‘The experience of scrumming at prop will make him a better hooker. Physically he’s probably the strongest hooker in world rugby, and his strength is particularly uncompromising at the scrum. His physique is suited to hooker in that he’s the perfect height and has a powerful core. He’s very good at the hit, and because he works so hard at his squats in the gym he’s able to generate immense power.’
In theory, a Test team that struggles at the scrum can still get the upper hand if they win the battle at the collisions and breakdown. It’s a point that’s prompted plenty of debate, and Smit feels that winning a scrum gives a team a psychological edge over their opponents.
‘The scrum determines the pack’s confidence. You can’t just say we’ll hang in there in the scrums, but drive the opposition in the lineout and smash them at the breakdowns. It’s like the first punch in a fight. If one oke throws a punch and connects, the second guy is rattled and will be thinking about that first punch for the rest of the fight.
‘The Super 14 is very different to Test rugby, and the northern hemisphere competitions, where scrumming is vitally important, is somewhere in between. If your scrum is weak, you can’t keep the ball in there for too long because you may eventually concede a penalty. It’s about getting the balance right according to your game plan.
‘You can’t just pick a mobile pack and think you’re going to run the other team around the park. A team like France will see a mobile front row of say, Beast Mtawarira, Schalk Brits and John Smit, and just keep the ball in the scrum in order to milk penalties. Penalties can then result in yellow cards and suddenly you are in trouble. You have to decide what you want to achieve in a particular match, and a lot depends on who you are playing.
‘Having CJ and BJ back will see the Bok scrum transform into a completely different animal. BJ’s exceptional at what he does at the scrum, while CJ is a good scrummager, but he’s one of those guys who is also a good athlete. Then you have Beast, Bismarck and myself. If you have those five guys available, you have a lot to work with. It might not be the same front row five weeks in a row, but you can work that to your benefit and pick horses for courses.’
The Boks will be managed carefully in the build-up to the 2011 World Cup, a tournament that’s likely to be Smit’s swansong. There are fears that his best days are behind him and that starting a spent player in this tournament could prove disastrous.
Smit believes there’s sufficient petrol in the tank, and the muscle car that proved so difficult to flag down in 2007 will be operating at optimum efficiency in 2011.
Any talk of him playing hooker is greeted with an optimism and energy that should be transferred to the rugby pitch.
‘You can ask me to perform a role at tighthead and maybe hang in there for a year, but it’s not something I want to do for the rest of my career,’ he says. ‘I only have two or three years left, and not all of that time is going to be spent at Springbok level. I’m no spring chicken, so I want to use that time well by getting back to what I do best, which is playing hooker.
‘So in answering your original question, I want to perform well enough to remain part of this special team. I’ve never seen a group like this together and I wonder how long it will be before we see another group or era like this again. When we prepare for a match, we know it’s only a matter of getting our heads right, because we have the ability to beat anyone. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of something like that, because there’s no risk of complacency.’
By Jon Cardinelli
– This article first appeared in the July issue of SA Rugby magazine. Visit keo.co.za tomorrow to read Grant Ball’s analysis of Smit’s performance against the All Blacks in Wellington.
249 Comments
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16 Jul 2010, 13:58 pm
48. THEBokFan(bokfan1) :
ye mate, maybe it keeps them grounded. Might not be such a bad thing as you say but geez the poor chap after all these years and achievements I’m sure he’d like for us to just say thanks we appreciate what you have achieved for the Boks and for the country.
I’m sure when he has retired he’ll get the plaudits though. it’s going to be a massive rebuild come 2012 mark my words.
16 Jul 2010, 13:59 pm
@THEBokFan(bokfan1)-45: @Mike H(Mike H)-47: we are many that understand what JS means to the boks , we just tired of arguing with fools that have ulterior motives
GB has been crushed by JS everytime poeople comepare them
a few weeks ago they shouted for tiaan liebenburg , well when the stormers and sharks played JS destroyed TL
as for Tacci ?? i used to take him seriously till i read more of his posts , he is such a one eyed idiot , its undescribable
i take people like morne seriously ,
JOHN SMIT is a must for 2011 or we can kiss it goodbye before it even starts
but i also agree he should be reconditioned ASAP
again idiots blamming him when he had to pick up weight for the boks sake
16 Jul 2010, 13:59 pm
@katman(katman)-43:
yes, great song…
Must go all.
Enjoy the rugby.
Cheers…
16 Jul 2010, 14:00 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-52: compare
16 Jul 2010, 14:01 pm
50. Jinx(Jinx) :
i can;t deny he is not in shape or that he had a poor game saturday all round, especially his throw in’s.
But the guy is class.
He needs rest and re-conditioning not replacement for WC2011.
Yes there are other guys around and thank goodness for that. But what I worry about is who will be our nest real leader.
16 Jul 2010, 14:01 pm
I see on Keo’s Poll,
24% of you lot think your Eye Gougers will win by 15+
Do you all believe in the Tooth Fairy as well?
8)
16 Jul 2010, 14:04 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-52: Well said
16 Jul 2010, 14:06 pm
next real leader rather.
I’m happy to use this year to give our up and coming talent experience.
We need to rest at least Smit and Victor and a few others as stated previously.
As Pissant said: JS needs rest and reconditioning I doubt he even argues with that – and he is not the only one.
I’m starting to wonder if they have taken their eye off the conditioning ball. Under JW we heard about their conditioning all the time. Would love to hear that stuff again.
16 Jul 2010, 14:08 pm
I hate it when Keo’s minions try their paws at feature writing.
“His face undergoes a transformation; the annoyed countenance morphing into a look of patience reserved for the ignorant and uneducated.”
16 Jul 2010, 14:08 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-58: Ja good point – becos we’re winning and looking good in S14 I spose the emphasis on conditioning might slip a bit as it seems our guys are the biggest, fastest and strongest (which they are
)
16 Jul 2010, 14:08 pm
If we get beaten on Saturday it’s going to be tough for us to win the 3 nations – I wonder if they’ll then decide well. Let’s change our startegy and rest our core and groom youngster.
Come WC we will need some of these youngsters and best they get as many games behind their belt before hand. Injuries are inevitable somewhere along the line.
16 Jul 2010, 14:09 pm
60. THEBokFan(bokfan1) :
Even Victor admitted to not doing gym work and sitting out of practices so that he could play more games – so ye indeed they did.
Can;t keep that up and expect to perform at test level
16 Jul 2010, 14:10 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-58: there are a few players that need to be protected , the other is fourie dup
as we can see how we do without him , RJ is not the answer , specially with the style of play the boks have
and i am not slating RJ here , foruie dup just in a different class
16 Jul 2010, 14:10 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-56:
Where is little Lower not-so-big Hutt?
16 Jul 2010, 14:11 pm
and somehow we need F Steyn back
if that is going to be possible who knows
16 Jul 2010, 14:12 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-55:
As i said earlier its too late to “drop” him but I think SA didn’t think this Captaincy conundrum out after 2009 B& I Lions tour.
He could be our saving grace… BUT …it could be the most mindF#cking burden and pressure that was put on our legend hooker. We shall see. The Tri Nations 2010 is a start.
The hardest life lessons come after victory and glory.
Sometimes the intensity of the golden glow can make fools of us at a moment’s notice.
Enjoy the limelight but also know when to protect your legacy.
Nuff said…I must go. Take care…
16 Jul 2010, 14:13 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-59: Wats fout met daai sin? Arme JC het die hele nag gewerk aan daai sin. Dis mos poesie (met 2 koletjies op die e)
16 Jul 2010, 14:20 pm
67. THEBokFan(bokfan1) :
HAHHAH
16 Jul 2010, 14:26 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-64:
15 minutes from the Cake Tin.
I saw Tana Umaga in the supermarket tonight?
To my son………. “Hey Little Buddy, there’s Tana Umaga”.
My son…………….No response.
He was mesmerized.
16 Jul 2010, 14:26 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-68:
Werk nie so mooi op hierdie blog wat “plain text” is nie…
16 Jul 2010, 14:29 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-69: He was mesmerized cos he was thinking “Thats the old geezer that was offering the kids at school sweets if they got into his car…”
16 Jul 2010, 14:29 pm
@THEBokFan(bokfan1)-67:
16 Jul 2010, 14:30 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-69: Was Tana on the till or packing shelves?
16 Jul 2010, 14:30 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-69:
Why is it called Hutt?
And why is there an Upper and Lower?
16 Jul 2010, 14:31 pm
@katman(katman)-73: Hahahahaha
16 Jul 2010, 14:31 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-69:
He’s too young to know who Tana is.
16 Jul 2010, 14:35 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-74: That’s New Zealand for “hit”.
16 Jul 2010, 14:35 pm
@katman(katman)-77: HAHAHAHAHAHA vlymskerp vandag Katman
16 Jul 2010, 14:38 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-74:
My fine City sits on the banks of The Hutt River.
Lower Hutt, is at the lower, or seaward, end of the valley. And has all the finest Citizens of the Valley.
Upper Hutt, is at the top of the Valley and is inhabited by what we call, Bogans.
(If anyone from Upper Hutt reads this and can identify me……..I’m dead meat.)
8)
16 Jul 2010, 14:44 pm
I think Smit was a great asset, he was a brillent player. But, I am really sorry to say, I think it is time he hung up his boots in bok rugby. He is far too slow on the field. I have rewatched the last few bok games and watch him, he is not the old Smit, at times even looking lost, reactions a bit blunt. I don’t like to say that about him, but if we want back to back world cups we will have to do something about that, including a few other things.
16 Jul 2010, 14:47 pm
‘Then you have a situation where your team-mates are trying to defend you and your coach tries to defend you, it was frustrating. Maybe the media persisted because it was an idea Peter de Villiers had driven, and any idea Peter drives is usually scrutinised by them.’
this statement alone shows me whose Boss in Springboks set up Gavin Rich
16 Jul 2010, 14:47 pm
Yes PLEASE, John, stay @ no2 !!!
No3 is good for me too.
No1 even better.
He’ll, you can start at scrumhalf too if you wish. You look fitter than the current alternative.
16 Jul 2010, 14:51 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-76:
When you are the AB Cappy, in NZ, even 7 year olds know who you are.
16 Jul 2010, 14:52 pm
no comment….
16 Jul 2010, 14:55 pm
@grant10(grant10)-84: Yet silence is golden
Prediction for tomorrow mate?
16 Jul 2010, 14:57 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-79: Your Hutt divide sounds a bit like our boerewors curtain. Except that we don’t call them Bogans. We prefer dutchies or rockspiders or clutchplates or boneheads. All very affectionately, of course.
16 Jul 2010, 14:59 pm
@katman(katman)-73: @THEBokFan(bokfan1)-71:
8)
16 Jul 2010, 15:02 pm
@willievz(willievz)-85: hi Willie
as much as i will be screaming and praying…..Kiwis by 5 to 10.
Just believe we have too many ‘structural ‘ flaws in the set up….
I am going to the WP game later in the day….so look forward to hopefuly seeing wp get a 2 nd win…..then rushing home to watch bulls…sharks!
16 Jul 2010, 15:09 pm
@grant10(grant10)-88: grantie old chap imma be in the cape soon to skop gat
then make ya buy me a beer hehehe
16 Jul 2010, 15:12 pm
@katman(katman)-86:
True Katman, it’s all in the infliction, tone and timbre of your utterance, whether the term be insulting or affectionate.
However the typed word has no such variety or range………….so I should imagine…………….
You will have pissed off the odd rockspider.
16 Jul 2010, 15:13 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-89: cool my man…
Ask Rudi how to get hold of me and we go have a beer or 6 with Justrugby…..
16 Jul 2010, 15:14 pm
We had a bad year in 2006 (ironically the year before the WC again) and everyone wanted Smit’s head.
Now it’s the year before the WC and we are about to have a bad year – yes I believe we are – and it’s the same ****.
Let’s hope we have the same ending though
16 Jul 2010, 15:15 pm
@katman(katman)-86:
Why do you feel the consistent need to use those terms?
16 Jul 2010, 15:16 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-90: Being a dutchie myself, I can get away with it.
16 Jul 2010, 15:17 pm
This team will be back in form at the WC – mark my words
And the core will get a rest if not now but before the WC
16 Jul 2010, 15:17 pm
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-93: It’s my way of dealing with the past.
16 Jul 2010, 15:18 pm
And Smit will lead us to the WC (I pray no injuries)
16 Jul 2010, 15:19 pm
but 2010 is not going to be a year we remember as a good year, i’m pretty sure of it.
Let’s the AB’s think they have all the answers come WC.
16 Jul 2010, 15:22 pm
@katman(katman)-96:
Rather worry about how you’re going to deal with the future.
16 Jul 2010, 15:23 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-56: Yeah, I have to admit that one took even me by surprise. A 15+ scoreline for the Boks does not quite reflect the opinions of most people who blog here
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