Smit says a sad goodbye
9 Oct 2011
Speaking in his final press conference as Springbok captain, John Smit said he won’t allow the disappointment of a quarter-final exit to tarnish his memories.
Smit, capped 111 times for the Springboks, bowed out of Test rugby with a defeat to the Wallabies, but maintained perspective despite his patent deflation.
‘I’m very sad. I wanted to win the final. But it would be silly of me to allow this result to tarnish seven years of great memories. I’m devastated, but I’m blessed. I’m proud to have been a Springbok,’ he said.
‘The important thing is that I had an influence on the guys I played with. If you want to talk about a legacy, I hope that in future years the guys who have played with me will look back and ask: “What would Smitty have done” on and off the field.’
Smit joins Victor Matfield and potentially Fourie du Preez, who told SA Rugby magazine in an interview before the World Cup, that the global showpiece would be his last for the Springboks, as senior players to call time on decorated international careers.
Asked about the impact of those departures on the potency of the Springboks in short-term, Smit said: ‘There are a couple of the boys who are not going to play again, which is sad. But if you look at what their replacements are like, I’m encouraged. Bismarck [du Plessis] will come in for me, Andries [Bekker] will replace Victor. Those are very good players and there are others in other positions.’
Smit was lavish in his praise of vice-captain and long-time team-mate Matfield. ‘Victor has been brilliant as a lineout tactician, but his leadership and how he lifts those around him by his presence cannot be overstated. In my opinion he is the greatest Springbok that ever has been,’ he said.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans paid tribute to the duo. ‘They are two excellent servants of the game. They are best described as men who commanded huge respect from their opponents and there’s nothing better in the game than that,’ he said.
44 Comments
9 Oct 2011, 13:13 pm
Dragon tears….
Cheers and good luck
9 Oct 2011, 13:13 pm
Legend Dragon. As much as you all resent him, I think he is a gentleman who opitimises rugby. always had much respect fort that man.
9 Oct 2011, 13:15 pm
Goodbye Smitty. It’s been emotional.
9 Oct 2011, 13:15 pm
Just think, some on here will have nothing left to talk about.
9 Oct 2011, 13:16 pm
Good man.
Smit, you had the priviledge to captain the few of the best players on the planet.
A champion team through the ups and down, take my hat off to you.
9 Oct 2011, 13:26 pm
‘The important thing is that I had an influence on the guys I played with. If you want to talk about a legacy, I hope that in future years the guys who have played with me will look back and ask: “What would Smitty have done” on and off the field.’
En almal het gese: Ek wens jy het gefokoff voor die 2011 Wereld Beker.
9 Oct 2011, 13:31 pm
Was bound to end this way.. which idiot would have really expected otherwise..
Some of us have seen it panning out EXACTLY like this already 2 and even 4 years ago.. now its happened .. so sweet f’all surprises whatsoever.. How the hell any thought it was gonna pan out any other way had serious rocks in their heads including Smitty himself… and PdV
9 Oct 2011, 13:36 pm
John Smit’s legacy will not be what he thinks it is; he must take responsibility for this – a cold-hearted anlaysis of his contribution and the stats of the last two years reveal a spectactularly unsuccessful captain who stayed on too long and kept the best rugby forward in the world – a freak talent of rugby and the team’s biggest gun – on the bench, when he should have been on the field.
Smit was fairly good today on the field – but good is the enemy of the best.
That’s the truth of this; he should have done the honourable thing and stood down long before now.
9 Oct 2011, 13:40 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-8:
Alles is oor hom. Wat sal mense se in die jare wat kom. Ek was die beste. Wat van die span John? Ek sal jou nie mis nie.
9 Oct 2011, 13:46 pm
Goodbye Jon.
You have been a great Ambassador for South African Rugby and World Rugby.
Under sometimes HUGE pressure from your own Countryman you never resorted to cheap shots.
However,
many many CHEAP SHOTS have been directed at you.
Go well Jon.
Remember the good times.
cane.
9 Oct 2011, 13:51 pm
@cane(cane)-10:
Running down his own players is very cheap indeed.
9 Oct 2011, 13:53 pm
Jon – thanks mate you lived up to the the meaning of what it is like to be a Bok. I could not be prouder today than I have ever been. A true leader – good luck and I will always remember you as the finest bok Capitan on and off the field.
9 Oct 2011, 14:04 pm
He should have done this a long time ago, and his stubborness to stay on hindered the boks’ development. But One thing I definitely agree with: Victor Matfield is one of the best ever sprinboks. A TRUE LEGEND.
9 Oct 2011, 14:04 pm
Thank you Captain Fantastic, you are true South African gentleman and showed the world that south Africa is not a nation of crass and boorish people, i wish you well and hope one that you are involved with the Boks again AND NO Skoppie and Grant10 not as a player any more
LEGEND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 Oct 2011, 14:13 pm
Just ANOTHER LOSS
ONE MORE LOSS to ADD to the already deplorable tally the past two years
So WHO really thought it would end ANY OTHER WAY
HOW MANY LOSSES were you STILL going to compromise with??
WHO really believed Smit who has NOT won a decent rugby test SINCE 3N 2009 when he played PROP and NOT HOOKER because BISMARK played at No. 2 was going to lead Boks to a WIN?
It was plain and simple OBVIOUS it COULD NOT BE
But the BLIND BELIEVERS still had faith and superstitious beliefs in something that was painfully and plainly obvious far and away a long hope bridge WAY TOO FAR…
Smit is NOT a winner.. its plain and simply a far fetched ILLUSION that he is.. if he WAS a winner we would have WON today..
I actually had very little doubt we were already up the creek because the sentiment of this halo’d aura was just way too heavy and OBSOLETE for the fairy tale to actually become a reality.. A fairy tale is all it was ever going to be..
Now you got what you wished for – a fairy tale that became a wishful thinking fantasy…
9 Oct 2011, 14:19 pm
For those about to “stop” we salute you!
Thank you for your commitment and dedication.
RWC2007 and 2009 season was unforgettable and I will always be gratefull
All the best for the new generation bokke…
9 Oct 2011, 14:19 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-14: he screwed Bissy … he is no gentleman.
9 Oct 2011, 14:39 pm
Well done John Smit… a fantastic career, record, legacy and contribution to South African and world rugby.
A true legend of the game.
You have achieved at the very pinnacle of your profession on the biggest stage there is and have been recognised and respected not only by those who played with you but by those who played against you.
Those are the opinions that count… not those of underachieving wannabes and never-will-bes…
How many of your critics can claim they have been the best in the world in their professions? Not many, if any.
Everything of the best in your future endeavours.
9 Oct 2011, 14:42 pm
Good Riddance, good riddance, good riddance.
From the Sharks and the Boks.
From thousands of turnovers conceded by and because of the high priest of ‘Fat Boy rugby’, we say good riddance.
To the only things he ever really produced well – excuses. Good Riddance.
From the backs whose careers were wasted by his one dimensional, uncreative, mindless and almost always unsuccessful ‘pick ‘n drives – Fat Boy rugby’. , Good Riddance.
From the many memories of matches lost in spite of being in the better team, both Sharks and Boks, because of his self-serving ‘Fat Boy rugby’, Good Riddance.
He went to France once, and then came back to haunt us. Obviously the French were less than impressed.
Let’s hope we never see the return again.
9 Oct 2011, 14:48 pm
Ridiculous criticising Smitty or blaming him for this world cup campaign.
With PDV as coach if Jon had not stayed on it would have become a shambles.
I daresy that if we had an actual coach at the helm Smitty may have departed earlier. Don’t forget that if Smitty wasn’t around to temper PDV’s brainfarts we would have lost the Lions tour.
The fact that despite the coaching staff the Boks remained competitive and could have won today is a testament to his leadership abilities.
A very selfless servant to Bok rugby.
Top man in my book.
9 Oct 2011, 14:49 pm
Ridiculous criticising Smitty or blaming him for this world cup campaign.
With PDV as coach if Jon had not stayed on it would have become a shambles.
I daresy that if we had an actual coach at the helm Smitty may have departed earlier. Don’t forget that if Smitty wasn’t around to temper PDV’s brainf@rts we would have lost the Lions tour.
The fact that despite the coaching staff the Boks remained competitive and could have won today is a testament to his leadership abilities.
A very selfless servant to Bok rugby.
Top man in my book.
9 Oct 2011, 15:20 pm
Cheers to the greatest captain who @ no stage of his playing career, was ever the best @ his postion. As a leader I salute you. For your courage, however misplaced, I salute you. Thanx for giving us the 2007 RWC.
I only wish you had done this two years ago after the B&IL tour.
9 Oct 2011, 15:24 pm
Well done Smitty….. we await your movie. My money is on Vin Diesel.
9 Oct 2011, 15:53 pm
Cheers, Smitty – you were the glue that held the squad together through what would’ve been far more turbulent years without you.
I salute you and I guarantee that the silent majority do, too.
Sad that most of the comments of praise on this site are from non-Saffas. But then the rambling and whining of the local denizens is indicative of a collective limited intellect.
9 Oct 2011, 18:10 pm
you are a good man and were a great captain,
so long john…i’ll always have your back on keo.co.za…
9 Oct 2011, 18:34 pm
Thank you for all your courage, dedication and strong leadership over the last decade. A true great of the game. You will be remembered for a long time. All the best for your future. I am sure you will make a success of whatever you choose to do. Cheers and thanks for all the entertainment and the 2007 WC.
9 Oct 2011, 19:46 pm
I think in time when autobiographies arrive from the likes of Matfield, Du Preez and maybe way down the line even from a guy like Bismark we will know more about what John Smit really meant to this team. In the meantime, maybe the outsiders looking in should just have the decency to use this thread for a respectful thank you and goodbye. There is no doubt he deserves it even if history will suggest he stayed on a year to far. Many a champ has. And a champ he most definitely is!
Get that man a Bells….
9 Oct 2011, 20:00 pm
Before 2004 we chopped and changed and shafted our captains on whims.
Some of the Bulls players even called Joost “cappie” because they couldn’t accept a Province captain.
Some former coaches never played the same team team twice in a row.
John Smit came in at a time of turmoil for Boks, after the Boks first ever (and to this day) only pool loss at a RWC and a humiliatingly one sided exit at the first knockout stage.
We have since been blessed with 8 years of stability and some success. Two Tri Nations and a World Cup. In that period, we have also beaten the All Blacks on more occasions than any other team.
John Smit was a great ambassador for South African rugby. Thank you and go well.
9 Oct 2011, 20:39 pm
Put the utterly useless no-pass crash-basher Jean de Villiers out to pasture too. What a dumb midfielder he is! Wouldn’t even make the Russian team on merit.
9 Oct 2011, 23:16 pm
No disrespect from me.
Thank you John Smit for your service to Springbok rugby.
Yes, maybe you hung on a year and a bit too long, but hindsight is a perfect science.
I will remember you as the man who led Springbok rugby back from the debacle of the ’03 world cup. As a Tri-Nations, B&I Lions Series and World Cup winning captain and a true gentleman of the game. I take my hat off to you, sir.
Thank you Victor Matfield for your service to the game. You are every bit a Springbok Legend and then some more.
Similarly Fourie du Preez, who at the top of his game had no peer.
Danie Rossouw = yster.
I will choose to remember these players in the context of their whole careers, not the past year and disappointment of the game today.
All the best for the future.
9 Oct 2011, 23:59 pm
@TheBandit(TheBandit)-23:
I think Jack black would be awesome to play Smit in a movie
10 Oct 2011, 01:04 am
Thanks Barney greatest Bok captain WC and British Lions, 111 games.
Hope you stay involved with Bok rugby in some capacity.
To the future Bok coach and captain. Could we please please have a policy of playing to win every test we play. Never never put the 4 year policy of preparing for a WC as an excuse to play B teams and lose. Be proud of the Bok jersey. I dont mind losing if we have tried our best (ie yesterday the Boks still did us proud). As a fan I want to better our win/loss ratio against Australia and the All Blacks and win the end of year tour games. The WC will be the cherry on top. But not the be all and end all.
10 Oct 2011, 02:14 am
“I hope that in future years the guys who have played with me will look back and ask: “What would Smitty have done” on and off the field.’”
Justice4 Arrogance ?
10 Oct 2011, 03:56 am
He outstayed his welcome but that’s hardly his fault. He didn’t select himself — that was one of Divvy’s many follies.
10 Oct 2011, 05:16 am
Cheers Smitty, you will remain the best captain SA rugby has ever had for many years to come.
Your achievements will be difficult to beat.
You gave it your best shot but remember the Boks came off second best only after you had left the field and were totally rudderless.
10 Oct 2011, 05:51 am
@Ethel(Ethel)-9:
He is so in love with himself, it is sick. What a teefkop.
10 Oct 2011, 05:53 am
@GreenFan(GreenFan)-27:
Bells is a cheap blend Scotch. Like Smitty.
10 Oct 2011, 10:04 am
Smitty’s reign coincided with the most most successful years of Bok rugby reputation on and off the field.
Under Jhn Smit, there was no:
1) Racism
2) Provincialism
3) Inter team conflict
4) Players humiliating themselves in public
5) Staaldraad
6) Foul play
Smitty restored Bok rugby’s reputation.
Yes, we didn’t get the webb ellis, but Bok rugby is for once a reputable brand without all the cr ap that used to trip us up off the field
TTo be fair, yesterday’s game was lost by the better team.
I think a Bok vs Kiwi semi would have gone our way too
Well done Jhn Smit.
You are a hero!
10 Oct 2011, 10:19 am
Well done Smit! We’ll miss your presence. You served the Boks and Sharks with distinction winning everything but a Super Rugby title.
A career of note..and you survived the most ridiculous coach known to man.
10 Oct 2011, 10:21 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-33:
Piss-off troll.
10 Oct 2011, 10:29 am
In my book, John Smit is now named alongside Danie Craven, Franois Pienaar, Naas Botha and Morne du Plessis as the greatest Springbok ambassadors ever!
The only regret I have is that there was not a captain groomed to repplace him.
10 Oct 2011, 10:32 am
We should be bold in our choice of captain now.
Much like Cricket did by picking Smit and then allowing him to grow into the role, we could do the same with someone like Andries Bekker, Bismarck or even Juan de Jongh
10 Oct 2011, 11:40 am
Thank you linesmen , thank you ball boys! It’s been an honor to witness one of the best captains in the history of this game play!!
Nag ou grote!
10 Oct 2011, 12:56 pm
John Smit, you will always be a legend. Achieved so much in your career and did it with dignity. I will always remember your best days. You are a great player, a gentleman, and the embodiment of rugby spirit. No matter how many cheap shots have been thrown at you by so called fans, you never complained, you just did the job that was asked of you.
Proud to have been a supporter through these times. Like all the Springboks on Saturday, you can hold your head high from that last game. Thanks for the memories.
Cheers
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