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, 02:39 am
hehe I see you persist with wooden spoon. that is funny. nice try Pops.
sometimes Pops you just need someone to bring you back down to earth.
couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
hope you achieve something today Pops, try not to spend all your time on keo.
12 Feb 2013, 02:40 am
call me wooden spoon all you like Pops, if it makes you feel better. i think you need things to make yourself feel better often, don’t you Pops?
12 Feb 2013, 02:41 am
Ive already achieved something to day
Ive highlighted how INADeQUATE you feel about your rugby
a truth youve tried to deflect, in the last 10 or so posts..
says it all, and Im still laughing at you..
12 Feb 2013, 02:42 am
not at all Liewe, I feel great
the rugby stats are just a bonus..
how do you feel knowing a little country in the pacific OWNs your big tough neanderthals?
consistently?
12 Feb 2013, 02:43 am
sure Pops. you achieved something today. well done Pops. you deserve a sweetie.
12 Feb 2013, 02:45 am
you like giving guys sweeties do you Liewe?
is that why you wont talk about rugby? because the emasculation of it suits your preferences?
12 Feb 2013, 02:47 am
and do you like taking sweeties from big men, Pops?
12 Feb 2013, 02:48 am
hahahahaha pathetic Liewe, keep clutching mate… youve made yourself look real inadequate on this thread..
makes for funny reading
12 Feb 2013, 02:50 am
that was an unusual reaction to the question Pops.
so which type of sweetie do you prefer Pops?
12 Feb 2013, 02:53 am
well Pops, I hope you enjoyed your time on my couch.
can I recommend you see someone full time?
as much as it has been a pleasure, Pops, it is my day off today so I will bid you farewell.
i am heading down to the beach after i paint the picket fence.
farewell and good luck making it through today.
12 Feb 2013, 02:54 am
@Liewe Luiperd-59:
that hole youve placed yourself in is getting deeper and deeper Liewe
just what is the “usual” reaction when you offer other men sweets?
is that why you do it online now, to save the poesklaps?
12 Feb 2013, 03:11 am
You two should get a room the stink of boy lust pervades the air when you get together.
I’ll even buy the peach flavoured lube for the two of you but please in the name of all that is sacred take your lovers tiff to rugbyheaven.***
12 Feb 2013, 04:19 am
Pity but thanks for all the memories Juan, you will be missed.
12 Feb 2013, 04:27 am
Thanks for your oustanding contribution to SA rugby Juan. You were one of the greats in my book, as a man and as a player. You deserve all the accolades that will surely come your way. I wish you all the success for your post rugby career.
12 Feb 2013, 04:27 am
Some more info on the achievements of the great man…
South Africa u21 World Cup: 2002
Free State Cheetahs Currie Cup: 2005
South Africa World Cup: 2007
Tri-Nations: 2009
So outside of a Super title he has won everything. Was surprised to see his CC caps for the Cheetahs were a mere 18 games.
12 Feb 2013, 05:37 am
Juan = World class flanker, one of the best
Great loss to Cheetahs, Bokke & rugby fans worldwide
{Hat Tip}
12 Feb 2013, 05:55 am
tough luck Juan
Thanks for all you did for Springbok rugby.
You are a humble legend of Springbok rugby,and respected worldwide.
Good luck on your future.
12 Feb 2013, 06:02 am
@Fern-67:
Hi Fern….how you been?
12 Feb 2013, 06:44 am
thanks you for your contribution to SA rugby, Juan
you have given us some great memories and wonderful times.
always a legend.
12 Feb 2013, 06:58 am
@gonzo-24:
hahahaha
thanks Gonzo
12 Feb 2013, 07:11 am
Andre Venter, Juan Smith, Ruben Kruger……
Poster boys? Nada
Highlights in die hare? Nada
Controversial? Nada
So hard soos klip op die rugbyveld? Verseker.
Respek.
12 Feb 2013, 07:14 am
@Staal-71:
Hoe gaan dit Oom?
@Te Rangatira-68:
Well thanks,just hectically busy at work with lots of new projects.
12 Feb 2013, 07:22 am
@Fern-72: Goed dankie Fern. Goed om te sien jy is nog hier. Jy hou die mense seker nog in toom hier as hul handuit raak?
12 Feb 2013, 07:25 am
@Staal-73:
Ek probeer.
Het jytans projekte wat loop?
G od het net land vir 1 dag gemaak en daai opinie van n slegte stuk grond is besig om spoed teverloor.
12 Feb 2013, 07:26 am
Juan Smith…..legend amongst legends. Never given the credit he so deserved for much of his Bok career. The credit for some reason always went to the ‘flashier, silkier and white boot wearing’ brigade. Oh he was always given a few words here and there, and no one doubted his value….but I guess for the most of it Juan wasn’t ‘glamorous’ enough for the PR wagon in SA.
2007 – He was my man of the WC tournie, without a doubt.
As a fan my only regret is not seeing Juan captain the Boks for an extended run, he could have been something even more special in that role.
Very sad to hear this, but I feel privileged to have watched him play over the years, and even more privileged to have been in front of the tv on my couch for his last 30 minutes of rugby in the Cheetahs/Stormers warm up. The way he rallied his troops in that game, a few brilliant offloads and his bulldozer runs…… Just happy to have seen this one final time.
All of the best legend, and I’ve no doubt we will see you involved in Free State coaching (Varsity? Union? Grey?) soon.
Thank you for the memories.
12 Feb 2013, 07:28 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-75: Good post. My sentiments exactly.
12 Feb 2013, 07:44 am
Pity he never became the Bok captain. What a player
12 Feb 2013, 07:44 am
pedigree@75
indeed pedigree… very well said…
and yes… very pleased to have watched his last ‘game’ on tv…
12 Feb 2013, 07:46 am
Cheers everyone have a good day/evening
Time for Ch unt du Fernly to get aome work done.
12 Feb 2013, 07:51 am
Arrrghhh…. always sucks when a legend’s career is ended this way… particularly Juan who still had so much more to offer his union, his country and an OS club…
12 Feb 2013, 07:53 am
for me the unsung hero of the 2007 WC together with Butch….
The ‘ perfect ‘ blind side flank, a banker at the back of the lineouts and a tackling ball carrier of distinction……the epitomy of a blindsider….
However, I have to add without being in any negative to Smith, his partnership with Schalk and Spies was a poor one…..
We were drilled at the breakdowns constantly by the Aussies and Kiwis when fronting with that loose trio….yes, we got the odd win, but I would be keen to see the win loss ratio against the Anzacs when that loose trio played as a unit….
Damn we gave G Smith, Waugh and Mc Caw free lunches at the breakdowns …it was a terribly frustrating time !
12 Feb 2013, 07:54 am
RT @keocoza: Bok Juan Smith quits : Juan Smith was a giant of a Bok player. As a person he was even larger in stature. I’l… http://t.c …
12 Feb 2013, 07:58 am
@Staal-76:
I think the first SA player to play provincial rugby wearing white boots was the wp fullback calla Scholtz.
It caused quite a stir… Dit was volksvreemd en ou ooms het in hul brannewyn and coke gestik en hul valstande uitgespoeg van verontwaardiging.
Calla was ahead of his time- he did for boots what Percy did for hilites and Hougaardt for ZEF.
12 Feb 2013, 07:59 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-75:
very nicely said, Pedi.
on that note, and i mean no disrespect to him, but an example would be the way people fawned over Bob Skinstad during that time, by comparison.
12 Feb 2013, 08:10 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-83:
It is not Bobbies fault that he had the gift of the gab, the charisma of Ray McCauley, the looks of a moviestar and a tongue like Gene Simmons. No wonder people fawned over him
12 Feb 2013, 08:10 am
@the curse-36:
Semantics.
Have there been any draws in your 20 matches without loss?
There is a record that Springboks share with All Blacks for consecutive wins. If it still stands. How many matches?
Have any All Blacks matches been stopped earlier during this time
12 Feb 2013, 08:13 am
@Liewe Luiperd-38:
Did Kenya not beat the All Blacks?
12 Feb 2013, 08:16 am
@Robzim-84:
well, when you put it that way…
seriously though, he’s a wonderful guy and very likeable but he was never in the ‘League Of Legends’. the Cape Cabal and lovestruck moms and daughters across the country saw to it that he tagged along all the same.
12 Feb 2013, 08:28 am
Good luck to a humble rugby legend. You have made many Springbok rugby supporters proud.
12 Feb 2013, 08:34 am
@Robzim-82:
12 Feb 2013, 08:40 am
whistle blower
Kenya beat the ABs in the semis
thy beat SA in the 1/4s
your point?
12 Feb 2013, 08:44 am
@Bokhoring-77:
If I remember correctly, he was offered the captaincy when injuries plagued the Boks, but he declined.
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it was during a Tri Nations and wasn’t it the time that they made Muller the interim captain?
12 Feb 2013, 08:46 am
@nortierd-91:
his legend grows by the day.
12 Feb 2013, 08:46 am
We’ve seen the bools try and sing. Perhaps here’s one for the Lions?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx6_-urg5fo
12 Feb 2013, 08:55 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-92:
For once we agree Bakkies.
His legend is the praise from his opponents, they are the ones who really rate him and know his worth.
That says a hell of a lot.
What made him special is that he did his job so efficiently that one hardly heard of him, yet his impact was huge.
12 Feb 2013, 09:01 am
A 100%’er if ever there was one.
I wish it could have been different for you, Juan.
You deserved at least a season of captaining the Boks and to go out on your own terms.
It will not in any way diminish your legend status though.
Thank you for outstanding services rendered to SA Rugby as a whole.
12 Feb 2013, 09:03 am
Hey peeps wouldn’t it be fun to try and get a list of the 50 hardest (not necessarily the best) Boks in history? think its relevant cause Juan would surely be on it, old timers please help because i bet there were other guys like Moaner an Joggie Jansen running around back in the day
12 Feb 2013, 09:03 am
Great player. Wish him well for the future; hope he can give input somewhere…
His retirement coincides with the resignation/retirement of the pope.
12 Feb 2013, 09:08 am
@nortierd-94:
absolutely Nortie.
and i dont think there’s a single player and/or supporter from any opposing team or country who would have a bad word to say about him.
great guy, great player.
“Were it not for the fans and my family, then I probably would have made the decision to retire much earlier.” – Legend
12 Feb 2013, 09:13 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-83: Bob Skinstad was rock star…..The end
@Robzim-82: Ohhellyes, even though very young, I recall those boots rather clearly. Members of my own (very English) family were horrified at the glamour……My Uncle called Calla ‘Elton John’ at the time. Funny what one remembers
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