Bok Juan Smith retires
12 Feb 2013
Juan Smith was a giant of a Bok player. As a person he was even larger in stature. I’ll remember him for more than just being a great rugby player.
Smith quit the game today because he accepted his Achilles would continue to restrict his ability to deliver what his heart desired. He was honest with himself, which is the character that typified his time within rugby.
He has for me always been the unsung heroes of Bok rugby and was among the players of the tournament.
His desire to contribute to a successful Rugby World Cup challenge forced an early return to the field in 2011 but all it did was ensure he would not play at the highest level again.
There will be no bitterness from Smith. There will be no self pity. It is not his style.
Former Bok legend Andre Venter used to call him ‘Die Yster’; the man of steel.
Bob Skinstad, taking the DJ microphone in Tobby Joe’s in Port Elizabeth in 2003, told people that the Boks were in the VIP area and if there was only one player they should meet that night it was a player called Juan Smith.
‘This guy said Skinstad will become one of the greats of Bok rugby.’
Smith ruptured his Achilles in the opening round of the 2011 Super Rugby season.
He had four operations in the last 18 months to make it back and even though he played two of the Cheetahs Super Rugby pre-season games he said he knew the Achilles was too vulnerable to take the demands of professional rugby.
He told Die Volksblad Newspaper: ‘Were it not for the fans and my family, then I probably would have made the decision to retire much earlier. It was the fans who gave me the courage to – after several disappointing operations – attempt to make a comeback to the rugby field this year.
‘I appreciate all the support I received through the years from my family, Bok- and especially Free State supporters.’
He played 69 Tests and won the Tri Nations, the World Cup and the British and Irish Lions series.
By Mark Keohane
269 Comments
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12 Feb 2013, 16:08 pm
@David-249:
Emotional yes.
12 Feb 2013, 16:11 pm
@stormersboy-250:
It was a nice touch seeing Eben supporting his school, Tygerberg, at the MTBS athletics champs.
BTW, if I recall correctly Cliffie still competes for South Africa in wrestling, in the Masters division.
12 Feb 2013, 16:15 pm
@gunther-251:
I respect an honest man!
12 Feb 2013, 16:16 pm
@WP-Forever-252: Yes that’s right. One tough “oom” is that Cliffie.
12 Feb 2013, 16:21 pm
@stormersboy-254:
That family has actually experienced its fair share of tragedy.
12 Feb 2013, 16:28 pm
@WP-Forever-255: Yes, that’s what i was referring to when i said that there are not as many of them left as there used to be.
They’ve had their share and more as you say.
12 Feb 2013, 17:38 pm
I thought he was retired?
12 Feb 2013, 18:00 pm
What is the best fantasy rugby site to play S15 on? I remember a few years back there was one that we all played.
12 Feb 2013, 18:56 pm
fernley you bliksem funnybugger… hahahahaha…
pillowbiting Saders…lol… Dangerman gonna choke in his crayfish paella…
farkenLol
12 Feb 2013, 18:58 pm
farkoff fern… that quinns bluff scruff was blindsided fair and square… haha
12 Feb 2013, 19:12 pm
@260
Did you go straight home after you got that red card?
12 Feb 2013, 19:44 pm
Oosthuizen on his way back
Feb 12,2013
Written by: SARugby.com Editor
Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen’s comeback from injury is on track after he came through his first live scrums unscathed this week.
The Springbok front-rower, who has been sidelined for the last few months with both a neck and back injury, is recovering steadily, with the Cheetahs nursing him slowly back into action.
Despite missing all three of the Bloemfontein-based franchise’s warm-up matches, Oosthuizen is a likely starter in next Saturday’s Super Rugby opener against the Sharks.
He was given permission to partake in the scrums, after receiving clearance from a specialist, and Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske is happy with the 23-year-old’s progress.
“Coenie looked very good in practices and we are full of confidence he will be able to play against the Sharks next week,” Drotske told Supersport
Meanwhile,Springbok fly-half Johan Goosen, who missed all the warm-up matches with a foot injury, has also been declared fit for the clash with the Sharks in Bloemfontein.
“We could have played him if we wanted to but we decided not to risk him. He has been taking part in full practice sessions for about a week now,” Drotske added.
“The only discomfort he has is a little irritation when he kicks, but that hasn’t bothered him much and he will be ready for the start of the season.”
12 Feb 2013, 21:16 pm
HG being a dripping marshmallow here again
I take him to a place he will see hard coloureds
Take no vokken prisoners
12 Feb 2013, 21:24 pm
@Dawn-263:
> I take him to a place he will see hard coloureds
Mitchells Plain G.ay club?
Capesaders club annual beach picnic?
13 Feb 2013, 07:52 am
@bokfan1-248:
No, Ruyterwacht is the area in Cape Town where the Etzebeths were from. That was in the 80/90′s
13 Feb 2013, 07:57 am
@stormersboy-250:
Yes you right. Cliffie was the other name I couldn’t remember. Then there was the young brother. I think he was a deputy at the Sheriff of the Court.
I have not heard of Ryan. He and Eben brothers? Does he also play rugby?
13 Feb 2013, 08:02 am
@WP-Forever-255:
@stormersboy-256:
I wont ask what happened, but sorry to hear.
13 Feb 2013, 10:24 am
@stormer in a teacup-214: think he probably would have gone to play a bit of club rugby for the money if he had made it to the last WC but he has been robbed of that opportunity.
14 Feb 2013, 08:56 am
Come join my Super Rugby fantasy game on SuperSport Fantasy to see if you can pick a better fantasy team than me! Just click here:
http://fantasy.supersport.com/superrugby/pool.asp?p=9472
Pool name: The League
Pool code: 13133687
Also on Fox Sports
Southern Skilled Ninjas 367-5866 (Classic league)
Smash Up 367-5868 (Head to Head)
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