‘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, 10:58 am
@Melchizedek(Melchizedek)-246: You guys just cant compare a specialist 10 (i like to think Lambie, is even though he plays 15 as well) to a specialist 12. Two completely different positions…a senseless argument in my opinion.
24 Jun 2011, 10:58 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-247: i love how you know what i’ll be thinking and feeling tomorrow, you must be a sangoma
so in your estimation, de jongh should be dropped for lambie @ 12?
24 Jun 2011, 10:58 am
@willievz(willievz)-248: I know and here bismarck fails as well. more often he is wandering around aimlessly with flustered look. he does not impact the ruck at all. his only strength is his defence around fringes. that’s it. but what we lose by playing him far outways what we gain. smit throws better, better ball carrier, stronger scrummager, better hands, good defender and best leadership at test level and always pitches up for big games. bismarck is literally the complete opposite.
24 Jun 2011, 11:00 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-251:
12 is an extremely important position on the rugby field.
24 Jun 2011, 11:00 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-212:
lambie is 2011′s frans steyn. he’ll go as a young utility back with heaps of promise, but not as a starter. but as always there will be injuries and then he’ll get a chance. scarily that could be in any of 10, 12 and 15.
24 Jun 2011, 11:01 am
@Melchizedek(Melchizedek)-246: Dont get me wrong- I like JDJ- but like a good few ppl said b4- we are trying to find a spot in the team for Lambie who is a prodigy- make no bones about that. Then i also think Sadie is the next best thing
24 Jun 2011, 11:02 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-252: Lambie is not a 12. Yes he has played there once or twice, but please let the young man stay at 10 where his future lies. anyway, we got JDV why do we need JDJ!
24 Jun 2011, 11:02 am
@Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-253:
Glad you are still optimistic about Smittie, we need to be confident that he can still play at least 25 minutes of test rugby per test.
24 Jun 2011, 11:04 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-245: ncncnc your avatar on sharksworld says it all buddy.
or were you playing dress up with rosso?
@Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-243: i think he is a (bleddy)ayghuuuunt.
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-247: the poor guy suffers from a bit of a common saffa in feriority complex unfortunately.
very sad but luckily not contagious.
24 Jun 2011, 11:04 am
@Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-250:
Watch it – you may soon be labelled a Fat Boys Club apologist
Honestly bro, I have no recollection of De Jongh being ‘humiliated’ in the Tri Nations last year. Not to be flippant, but could you point out the exact game where he was.
Obviously I’m a big fan of the kid – it’s a breath of fresh air to see SA backline players not try run over walls….
24 Jun 2011, 11:05 am
@Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-253: LOL
The funniest , most insane post I have ever seen….
24 Jun 2011, 11:06 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-259:
transie blogs there too?
where does he find the time?
24 Jun 2011, 11:06 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-241: He could have had an op anytime previously as well
24 Jun 2011, 11:08 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-259: my avatar?
you’re spouting unsubstantiated rubbish as usual…what do you know i’m xhosa, we’re all liars and untrustworth according to you 
24 Jun 2011, 11:08 am
@Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-262: in between playing dress up and sticking pins in his lambie doll?
24 Jun 2011, 11:10 am
@Melchizedek(Melchizedek)-260: um. alucard thinks dreamt that de jongh was “ripped apart” in the tri-nations
24 Jun 2011, 11:11 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-251: Then how do you explain players like Luke McAllister, Giteau and a host of other world class players who can play either equally well???
24 Jun 2011, 11:11 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-264: not all, just you
you know you love the saders man, so do we.
its cool, its your right to support who you want.
24 Jun 2011, 11:11 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-259: Transie seriously thinks he is a Rugby guru. Knows all and thinks his opinions are facts, even that doesn’t make sense, then again Transie doesn’t make sense.
24 Jun 2011, 11:12 am
@Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-262: time waits for no man
24 Jun 2011, 11:12 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-268: thanks, i know my rights. i support the EP Kings for the record
24 Jun 2011, 11:14 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-269: stop posting about what I – Transformation – thinks…do i own your thoughts now?
24 Jun 2011, 11:16 am
@bangkok-bok(bangkok-bok)-267: They possess the ability to do that, M. Steyn would suck at 12, and even as far back as Naas, he would never have been be a decent 12. But both specialize at 10. Lambie on the other hand, is a specialist 10 who can do a more than decent job at 15.
24 Jun 2011, 11:16 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-269: ag, transie knows a fair amount about rugga.
but sheesh he can talk a load of kuk too.
@Transformation(Transformation)-271: the who?
did they make the superrugby playoffs?
just to educate you, gwantie supports wp in domesti9c rugby and the stormers in superrugby.
we know who you support in the vodacom cup now but when it comes to the big games, we know you are a saderfan uncle bob
24 Jun 2011, 11:17 am
Have the latest SARugby mag. In the article on JDV, Cardinelli lays all of his problems on Morne Steyn because he is “not the type of player who attacks the line or creates space for his centres.” Of course, no mention is made of his performance alongside a flyhalf who ostensibly is that kind of player – Grant.
Besides, I thought that it was the senior Boks (and JDV is a member of this exclusive club) who decided to have a gameplan that requires a flyhalf to kick up-and-unders all day.
24 Jun 2011, 11:17 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-272: No, you THINK you own my thoughts right now buddy.
24 Jun 2011, 11:17 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-270:
are you a proffessional blogger?
24 Jun 2011, 11:17 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-273: Agree on our FHs would suck at 12- I bet Lambie would be great at 12 though. The kid (to me) has that rugby brilliance to play anywhere in the backline.
24 Jun 2011, 11:20 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-274: how an i support saders, i have no affiliation with the cantabs?
24 Jun 2011, 11:20 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-273:
i thought lambie was a 15 who was converted to 10 by sharks. what position did he play at sa schools?
24 Jun 2011, 11:20 am
@Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-277: are you?
24 Jun 2011, 11:21 am
@willievz(willievz)-254: I know its an important position, as is any. I’m just saying i do not believe Lambie will be as effective at 12 as he is at 10, and that you cant compare the positions, as the two positions are different in their respective ways.
24 Jun 2011, 11:21 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-279: hey man, i am not your shrink.
your problems are your problems
24 Jun 2011, 11:21 am
@munkiboi(munkiboi)-280: 15, even in argentina last year he was a 15 and jantjies played 10
24 Jun 2011, 11:23 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-279:
Multiple rugby blogs are too much for me.
Besides, nobody spends more time here than you
24 Jun 2011, 11:24 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-283: so stop acting like one then
24 Jun 2011, 11:25 am
@Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-285: hehehe rubbish
i could say the same about you 
24 Jun 2011, 11:25 am
@munkiboi(munkiboi)-280: Good point, he was at 15 when he started. But since the move to 10, he has made the position his own. He converted to a specialist 10 who can play at 15. Obviously this is my opinion, but i think most will agree he needs to stay at 10. Once they start shifting him aroun 10, 12, 15…we will have another Russel case, something we do not want to do to this young talented player. Let him settle at 10!
24 Jun 2011, 11:26 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-276: then how come you seem to be posting about what i think?
24 Jun 2011, 11:28 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-282: Disagree. The best 10s can play 12 equally well. The best 12s do not have to play 10 as well.
24 Jun 2011, 11:29 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-287:
sure you could.
you have more keo dollars than the free state has mealies.
24 Jun 2011, 11:29 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-282:
when we won world cup in 1995 hennie le roux played 12. he was a flyhalf. when we won in 2007 it was frans steyn. at the time he considered himself a flyhalf too and had played there for boks.
24 Jun 2011, 11:30 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-286: take it easy man, i have no wish to be your father figure ok?
24 Jun 2011, 11:30 am
@Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-291: keo what? do those still exist?
24 Jun 2011, 11:30 am
laters kids.
it looks like transie has enough on his plate owning peoples thoughts.
the life of a senior blogger
24 Jun 2011, 11:31 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-289: You THINK it seems that way but its really not………Ever heard of Sarcasm!! Just stuffing around dude, get over it!
24 Jun 2011, 11:31 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-294:
we were embezzled.
phone the hawks
laters.
24 Jun 2011, 11:33 am
You know John has a point. As long as they pay him and sellect him, he should continue to cash those cheques.
Go for it John, you got a wife and kids to support. If Pdv doesn’t drop you, even when you play k@k, that is his problem, not yours. You found the keys to easy street. Play on brutha. Go get paid with your fat bootie.
24 Jun 2011, 11:34 am
@Gunther is looking to the future with hope in his heart.(gunther)-297: Keo giveth and Keo taketh away the Keo dollars.
24 Jun 2011, 11:35 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-293: i’m not in need of one, thanks…you assume too much but i guess that’s what propagandists do 8)
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