‘I am not done yet’
24 Jun 2011
In an exclusive interview with MARK KEOHANE for Business Day Sport Monthly, John Smit insists he is the right man to lead the World Cup defence and that he has plenty still left in the tank.
‘It would be the act of a coward,’ insists John Smit. ‘Only a coward would be that selfish to bail out in the belief it will preserve a legacy.
‘In fact,’ he says, ‘to shy away from the challenge of defending the World Cup because the Boks may lose and I may be remembered as a captain who lost a World Cup and not one who won it … no … no … that’s not why we play the game. It has to be about the challenge; about doing something incredible; about creating history … this team is good enough to defend the 2007 title and I believe I have a contribution to make. If we lose I want to be at the heart of the battle and not all suited up sitting in a corporate suite listening to people say that if I had been there it would have been different, and me reflecting on how we won the 2007 World Cup.
‘The motivation, though, is to be there if we win … and I believe we can win. I believe we are a better squad now than in 2007 and we were a very good squad at that tournament.’
Smit is South Africa’s most celebrated and experienced Springbok captain. Outside a home unions Grand Slam tour victory he has led the Boks to every success. In the past seven years the Boks have won the World Cup, won the Tri-Nations, beaten the British & Irish Lions, never lost a home series, won at Twickenham, beaten France, beaten every team, won in Australia and (the apex for any Bok player) won against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Many expected Smit to call time on his international career after the Boks beat the All Blacks in Hamilton, New Zealand, in 2009 to win the Tri-Nations. It would have been the fairytale ending.
A World Cup in 2007, a British & Irish Lions series win in 2009 and the Tri-Nations a few months later, with the All Blacks having been beaten (by the Boks) in three successive Tests, including Smit’s first-ever international success against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
‘Go now,’ screamed 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White. ‘You have nothing left to achieve. Which guy climbs Everest to plant a flag only to climb it again to take out the flag?’
White’s constant public condemnation of Smit refusing to quit international rugby was more than an irritation admits Smit, but he doesn’t believe it was the only reason the media started hammering him and elements within the public started calling for his axing.
‘Playing for the Springboks means there is no easy ride, no escape and never a place to hide. Captaining them means the scrutiny is even more intense. The rewards when things are going well are immense; the flip side is the vitriol is as hectic when you don’t play well and the team doesn’t win. I have no problem with that,’ says Smit. ‘I have always felt the media has been fair to me in their praise and criticism. It certainly didn’t help having Jake telling the media every week how out of shape I was and that my time as a Bok was over and that he wouldn’t pick me as a hooker. But I had to look at my own performances; what the team was doing and my influence in the team and on us potentially winning the 2011 World Cup.
‘Decisions about 2011 could never have been made in 2011, from senior players and from the coaching staff. Some people may not get that. A lot of planning has gone into this World Cup defence, and I think we all learnt lessons from the 1999 campaign when Gary Teichmann was dropped three months before the tournament, having led the team since 1996. His experience and his value as a player were definitely missed and [Bok coach in 1999] Nick Mallett has conceded he would have done things differently in hindsight.
‘None of us who were there in Paris in 2007 wanted to have to rely on hindsight post-2011, be it because we weren’t there or because we weren’t in the condition to be there.
‘If I or some of the senior players were doubting whether we could go the distance to 2011 then we had to make that call in 2009. It would have been improper and damn insulting to what we have tried to build as a squad since 2004 to play a waiting game.
‘We all had to commit to defending the title in New Zealand in 2011 after we won the British & Irish Lions series or we had to get out and give Peter [de Villiers] and his coaches two years to introduce new players and mould a team for the World Cup.
‘I made the decision in 2009 to stay and it was based on my belief that no World Cup winning squad has ever had as good a chance of defending the title. It has never been done and I want to be a part of something that hasn’t been done. As I already said, I owe it to myself to be on the field and not in the stands. If I gave it up in 2009 and the squad defended the title I’d have to live with a lot of regret and regret is not something I ever want to carry with me post-rugby. I’d rather take the risk of losing and being there, being true to myself and what I believe I can contribute.’
Those who refuse to acknowledge Smit’s value to a winning 2011 Bok campaign will argue Smit being at the World Cup weakens the team and will single out the 2010 season and Smit’s form as an international prop. It is not something he hasn’t heard before.
‘I started playing for the Boks in 2000. Then I couldn’t scrum, I didn’t have enough mongrel to be a Test hooker, I wasn’t strong enough, big enough, crazy enough and … and … and … pick whichever one you want. I have heard them all, at least one of them every time before every one of my 102 Tests. I am my biggest critic. I don’t kid myself and I have a support base of family and close friends who wouldn’t allow me that illusion or luxury.
‘When my form has not been up to standard I have taken it on the chin, put in more work and tried to fix it. I have never doubted my ability,’ he says. ‘I believe I do add value to the Boks’ World Cup campaign and that my overall contribution as a captain and player with 102 Tests makes the squad stronger, but I also believe I am owed no favours and expect none. If Peter said to me that for the Boks to win the World Cup it would mean me not starting a game at the World Cup I’d sign on the dotted line. It has to be team first and individual aspirations second. It has always been what has made this core of players so successful. I’d know if being there was a negative because there are too many of us who have been together since 2004 and those strong personalities wouldn’t tolerate a passenger. They’d have wished me well, thanked me, suited me up and sent me on my way to that corporate suite.’
In a 2009 interview with SA Rugby magazine Smit said: ‘I don’t want to be the guy who keeps going long after he should have called it a day. I’ve felt sorry for players who have tried to keep going when all the signs were pointing at the door. I hope it will never be me.’
I recall the interview and his quote and suggest there are people feeling sorry for him. And the sympathetic ones are some of his biggest supporters. Smit concedes 2010 was not a good year, but says 2006 was equally horrible.
‘We were a minute away from a sixth successive Bok defeat in Rustenburg against the All Blacks. They were 20-18 ahead and they gave away the silliest of penalties. If it wasn’t for Andre Pretorius’ winning kick we would have all been gone by the end-of-year tour. Jake wouldn’t have survived, I would have been gone with him and a new coach would probably have done an overall on the squad.
‘A year later we were world champions with the same players. You need good fortune in sport and you also need to never give up on yourself if you truly believe you have it. I believe this squad does still have it. In fact, they had it more than four years ago because we as individuals and a unit have matured and grown enormously in four years. I believe I still have it. Last year wasn’t good. I was alternating between prop and hooker, my weight was up because of the positional switch and I was struggling with injury.
‘To miss the end-of-year tour in 2010 to undergo a neck operation was a blessing. I got on the scale after the operation and I weighed 127kg. I told myself: “Come on Barney. This is bullshit. This isn’t what you committed to in 2009. Prop or hooker … it doesn’t matter … get your neck and your conditioning sorted and go out there and help the Boks make history.” Physically, six months later, I am in as good a shape as I was in 2007.’
Smit weighs 115kg and is injury-free. The ongoing struggles playing prop haven’t gone away in Super Rugby, but it is when he has played hooker that he’s looked as good as at any stage of his career.
‘It is quite clear that hooker is my position, but I will play where needed and I will do whatever is needed to help this squad create history.
‘I am not done yet. I also know the value of experience. I went to the 2003 World Cup with youngsters hoping for a miracle. In 2007 we had more experience and it was defining to how we managed the pressure and played.
‘In 2011 we will take the most experienced Bok team to a World Cup. It will take a very good side to beat us and if one does there will be no regret from me that I didn’t walk away in 2009. But as I keep on saying, the reason to stay on was to win and not lose. And this generation of Bok player knows how to win.’
– This article first appeared in the July issue of Business Day Sport Monthly, which is distributed FREE with the newspaper on the second last Friday of the month.
590 Comments
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24 Jun 2011, 17:01 pm
Wow an amazing case of clock-watching.
24 Jun 2011, 17:01 pm
@grant10(grant10)-498: Matfield showed against the Scots that he isn’t cut out at test level; JDV isn’t the starting captain at the Stormers much like Smit isn’t the starting hooker at the Sharks ha ha; and Smith may not even be fit.
Look Smittie should probably have bowed out in 2009; he didn’t and his reasons are listed above; he doesn’t pick himself and changing your leader a few months before the tournament is suicide.
If the selectors were going to bomb him, it should have happened long ago and a new team developed and leader developed like I really hope to see after the WC. Let another Sharkie in Hargreaves succesfully lead the Boks.
24 Jun 2011, 17:04 pm
Boks best team:
Beast
Bissie
Mujati
Rossouw
Matfield
Brussow
Smith or alberts
Schalla
Du preez
James
Aplon
Jdv
Fourie
Peterson
Steyn
Reserves
Strauss
Jannie
Bekker
Spies
Pienaar
Lambie
Jdj
This team is capable of beating any team at anytime, playing in whatever conditions. These players are some of the best Boks of all time and the others have potential to be some of the best boks of all time! I have no doubt all of them will be in the WC squad unless smit sticks around then he will take strauss place… Hope u guys have awsome weekend, Guru over and out!
24 Jun 2011, 17:05 pm
“Only a coward would be that selfish to bail out in the belief it will preserve a legacy.”
“to shy away from the challenge of defending the World Cup…”
“When my form has not been up to standard I have taken it on the chin, put in more work and tried to fix it. I have never doubted my ability,”
Great interview, great perspective from a great man.
An absolute legend, a treasure for SA Rugby, articulate, humble, passionate and motivated.. I hope this will shut you up now Grant10.
24 Jun 2011, 17:06 pm
@kevin w(kevin w)-502: my man….
let me state this in absolutes….
all I want post 2011 wc is an on merit bok team with no players playing that are there for any reasons other than there abilities.
We must be damn careful about making players capitano unless they warrant the starting position.
I have always liked LW as an eg…..but unless he plays and shows he is good enough I will not back him for captain.
Hargreaves another one….is he the best 5 going forward? Andrieds Bekker may have something to say about that?
Dewalt Potgieter?
Chilli [ but bissy there so a no no in my book ?
Not easy, but ffs lets not get all sentimental and stupid again and end up in the mess we are now !
24 Jun 2011, 17:06 pm
Have a good evening chaps, I am out.
Will hear from some of you during the game tomorrow.
COME ON SHARKS
24 Jun 2011, 17:08 pm
Most tackles made:
1. 157 – Jarrod Saffy
2. 155 – Jarrad Hoeata
3. 150 – Alando Soeakal
10. 132 – Wnand Olivier
11. 131 – Pierre Spies
17. 123 – Robert Ebersohn
19. 121 – Warren Whiteley
20. 120 – Willem Alberts
Most missed tackles:
1. 38 – Danny Cipriati
2. 35 – Ashley Johnson
2. 35 – Sarel Pretorius
4. 34 – Julian Huxley
12. 27 – Sias Ebersohn
13. 25 – Robert Ebersohn
17. 24 – Bjorn Basson
17. 24 – Victor Matfield
Interesting. See Spies at tackles made, and don’t see him at tackles missed? Mmmmm. Food for thought.
24 Jun 2011, 17:12 pm
@willievz(willievz)-506: cheers willie
out too
24 Jun 2011, 17:17 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-507: What constitutes a tackle for Spies? Is it the same as an Alberts tackle?
24 Jun 2011, 17:25 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-467:
That was one of the most lucid posts on this subject, and I fully agree. As long as the coach picks him, and he has the respect and backing of the players then he has nothing to answer for. Certainly not to some bloggers fuelling a hate campaign.
Also, I think it’s going to be interesting when the auto-biographies of the players he’s been involved with come out. Perhaps we’ll get a better understanding.
24 Jun 2011, 17:30 pm
@LightZone(LightZone)-509: What contributes a dangerous tackle for Burger? Is it the same as a Giteau tackle?
24 Jun 2011, 17:32 pm
@Number15(Number15)-510: Can’t wait for that. Would be interesting to see how they (and here I’m thinking of Matfield, Burger, de Villiers etc) saw Smit, White, de Villiers.
24 Jun 2011, 17:32 pm
Oh you know the answer to that one. Eye spy with my little finger
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-511:
24 Jun 2011, 17:33 pm
@grant10(grant10)-505: “all I want post 2011 wc is an on merit bok team with no players playing that are there for any reasons other than there abilities. ”
You must understand that this is subjective though. Why do you think that everyone has different opinions on who is the best at any one point? And it’s always changing. So what, we drop and replace players weekly? I guarantee, 100%, that there will be players you do not think should be there in future Bok teams. It’s always going to happen.
Grant10 said: “We must be damn careful about making players capitano unless they warrant the starting position.”
This opinion is your right. There are those of us who believe a captain adds much more than playing abilities, especially in certain situations and environments. Keep this away from Smit please, I am talking in general. My view is that form will always vary but consistency breeds a great team. Pick your captain and combinations and back them. That’s just my view but I think it is backed up by evidence (most successful teams are stable teams with experience).
24 Jun 2011, 17:43 pm
@LightZone(LightZone)-513: I know what you are implying, thus my synical response. A serious, sincere question would have received a very different answer.
Do you think a Alberts try is better than a Spies try? Is it worth more points?
24 Jun 2011, 17:59 pm
@Number15(Number15)-514:
Grant10 said: “We must be damn careful about making players capitano unless they warrant the starting position.”
The problem with that way of thinking is that a player can warrent his starting position today, but lose form 6 months later. Do we have a new captain then each year?
The over-all value of a player should be considered when selecting a team.
24 Jun 2011, 18:00 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-515: That’s exactly the point. Does a Spies tackle stop a player or merely slow them down? Is it as effective as Alberts knocking down an opponent? When are the tackles made? Statistics need interpretation and I’m not trying to be facetious at all.
I understand that this flat medium can’t really convey the tone of a question and especially on this blogsite where people are usually sarcastic.
24 Jun 2011, 18:12 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-516:
Yes that is the point I was making.
24 Jun 2011, 18:12 pm
@LightZone(LightZone)-517: Statistics can never be used as an absolute, I agree. The reason I posted this stat is that guys like Spies and WO gets smacked around on this blog almost as much as John Smit. They are accused of things that are not always true. I’ll be the first to admit that both players I am using as examples, are not perfect by any means. But, having said that, they do add value some critics are not willing to recognise. One must always remember that players play in structures, and they have certain responsibilities in the team context.
Lets take Spies. He is not a strong “ground player”. Can that be the reason why he is expected to rather “slow a player down” in order for someone like Stegman or Potgieter to arrive and compete on the ground? Or could it be that they need Spies on his feet in case of turn-over ball to use his speed to create scoring opportunities?
These are some questions we dont know all the answers for. We dont know exactly what is discussed and expected by the coaching staff.
24 Jun 2011, 18:13 pm
@Number15(Number15)-518: I agree 100%.
24 Jun 2011, 18:16 pm
@Number15(Number15)-514: Good post.
And even although i will back Smit to the world cup and see his immense value as a leader and will get into crazy debates with Grant 10 (who has a fanatical dislike of Smit); I do sometimes wonder if it wouldn’t have been better if Smittie had done a John Eales and left while at the top of the sport.
24 Jun 2011, 18:18 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-519: Absolutely in agreement here. Too many times debates surrounding statistics are clouded. This is exactly the kind of thing posters don’t consider when putting forward teams. It’s not necessarily true that 15 individuals will automatically make a great team. I have a feeling that PDV carries around a copy of The Art of War. Often you see he changes tactics at halftime, which shows there must be some intellectual capital there.
24 Jun 2011, 18:26 pm
@LightZone(LightZone)-522: Now see, we are not that far apart. A team needs balance, and if a coach can get that right, magic can happen.
24 Jun 2011, 18:32 pm
@LightZone(LightZone)-522: Just to add to that. Someone once said, can’t remember who, that if you didn’t hear Ruben Kruger’s name during a game, he had a brilliant game. That is simply because he did his job, which was to create turnovers and slow opposition ball down. He was on the ground, with 10 bodies on top of him.
24 Jun 2011, 18:33 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-523: Absolutely. That’s always what I advocate. Combinations are important and sometimes it’s tough on the player left out or discarded but that’s how it is. PDV said as much when he brought in Morne Steyn and also when he experimented with Zane at centre. I believe the Stormers brand is really what he’s aiming at – hard defence but ability to step up if needed.
24 Jun 2011, 18:34 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-524: That was Kitch who said it I think. We need grafters like that but we also need the runners.
24 Jun 2011, 18:45 pm
spies does not feature in the missed tackles category because letting someone like israel dagg waltz past you without touching them is NOT considered a missed tackle!
24 Jun 2011, 18:45 pm
@LightZone(LightZone)-526: Could be Kitch yes. I agree 100%. Good combinations where players compliment each other. Here I’m thinking specifically about 9/10, 12/13, 2/4/5, and 6/7/8. Obviously the back 3 is also important.
My team, but I’m sure you’ll disagree – which is fine:
Aplon
JP
Fourie
de Villiers
Habana
Steyn
du Preez
Spies
Smith
Brussouw
Matfield
Botha
du Plessis
Smit
Beast
24 Jun 2011, 19:44 pm
this going to end in tears. This self aggrandized schmuck is only in this for his own grandiose arrogant glory, nothing whatsoever else.
This a recipe for disaster and gonna unravel right in front of all these dumb deluded idiot hero worshipers eyes.
24 Jun 2011, 19:51 pm
@TheAgent(TheAgent)-528: Essentially I agree with the team with some differences:
10 Butch
8 Koster
7 Schalk
4 Rossouw
Bench
BJ
Bismarck
JDJ
Ruan
Hougaard
Mvovo
Francois
I assume Mujati not eligible and Juan Smith still Injured. Brussouw I beliieve is repaired son he’s tentative.
24 Jun 2011, 19:57 pm
Where’s jock, sorry jock
Andy murray ain’t no good Scot
24 Jun 2011, 19:58 pm
Did Murray lose?
24 Jun 2011, 20:01 pm
Still playing I think
24 Jun 2011, 20:03 pm
Ah ok. He should get to semi’s I think
24 Jun 2011, 20:07 pm
Blah
He needs makeover
Hope this russian takes him out
24 Jun 2011, 20:11 pm
Captain Barney Fantastic to lead Boks to World Cup Trophys on the trot.
YEBO BABY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
24 Jun 2011, 20:14 pm
Scots aren’t usually the most well-kempt Brits I think. JockBok probably excluded from that generalisation.
24 Jun 2011, 20:14 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-536: I seriously hope such is the case.
24 Jun 2011, 20:16 pm
Though I think he should be more of a squad captain than the on-field captain.
24 Jun 2011, 20:27 pm
Facial hair don’t suit murray
24 Jun 2011, 20:30 pm
And he’s a cantankerous git
24 Jun 2011, 20:32 pm
Haven’t seen a pic of him lately. Beards/facial hair is so old school.
24 Jun 2011, 20:38 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-536: Positive thinking, and wanting, makes a person happy and not bitter, it would be outstanding for the Boks and the whole country.
24 Jun 2011, 20:39 pm
John Smit is a quota player. Chilliboy isn’t. ‘nuf said.
24 Jun 2011, 20:41 pm
If you wanna perv a good Scottish fella search for Chris Hoy or James McAvoy. Then the obvious ones like Ewan McGregor and Gerard Butler.
(I’m not ***)
24 Jun 2011, 20:43 pm
If we lose I want to be at the heart of the battle and not all suited up sitting in a corporate suite listening to people say that if I had been there it would have been different, and me reflecting on how we won the 2007 World Cup.
really john?
24 Jun 2011, 20:43 pm
*** = g a y
24 Jun 2011, 20:57 pm
yes Cappie Smittie Fantastico says he can do it, excellent.
back-to-back trophies i reckon.
hell we might have to keep him til 2015.
24 Jun 2011, 21:03 pm
@cab(cab)-548: captain plod won’t make it past fiji and pdv will realise what plum has seen & play chiliboy & battleship
24 Jun 2011, 21:08 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-549:
you remember that game in marseilles v fiji 4 years ago. fiji were flying, the crowd were behind them having just dismantled wales and playing like men possessed – who stepped in? who calmed matters when everyone around him was going to pieces?
captain fantastico. unflappable. the rock called barney.
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