Rugby World Cup winning captain John Smit will continue as Springbok captain in 2008.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers confirmed Smit’s appointment on Wednesday, having met with the player in South Africa and more recently in France, according to a report on News24.
“I was very impressed with John and have enormous respect for what he has achieved with the Springboks in the last four years. He is the World Cup-winning captain. He has global respect and he has the desire to add to what was achieved in France last year.
“This is a new chapter for Springbok rugby, but I believe we must build on the success of the World Cup and it made sense to me to further invest in John’s excellent leadership and his ability as a player,” explained De Villiers.
Smit, who is currently contracted to club rugby in France, said he was thrilled to be a part of the De Villiers era.
“When we met in Cape Town I was encouraged by the coach’s desire for success and his passion for South African rugby. To be offered the chance to continue with the Springboks is a challenge I would never refuse. I feel honoured to be given further opportunities to lead the Springboks,” said Smit.
De Villiers ideally wants Smit to continue his domestic rugby in South Africa and Smit has agreed to do so provided SA Rugby and his French club Clermont Auvergne can agree on terms and conditions.
“The Springboks will always be my priority but it is important that any move back to South Africa to play domestic rugby, is done in a professional and mature way. The French have been fantastic to me and they understand my desire to play for the Springboks. It is a situation that now will be dealt with on an administrative level between South African rugby and Clermont,” added Smit.
“For now my focus is on getting back to match fitness and making a contribution to Clermont’s season.”
De Villiers said he appreciated the complications of having his captain based in France and for this reason he wanted him back in South Africa.
“We will find the best possible solution in the coming weeks,” said De Villiers. “It was important for me to officially confirm the situation, so as to ensure there is no mis-information based on speculation.”
De Villiers, who spent the previous two weeks visiting European clubs at which senior Springboks are playing, described the trip as encouraging.
“We must do what is best for Springbok rugby and my intention is to ensure the best available squad is selected. I will explore all avenues for this to happen.”
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Good decision, Peter, but you are going to come in for flack. Especially the way other SA hookers are going in this year’s competition.
Woohooo!
True that Rob, and expect a ruckus at SHarks HQ too – Bismark is looking very good while a lot has been invested in Burden.
Will the Sharks be willing or able to contract John again? Dont be surprised if a Bulls team missing their two Smoking Locks and Chipmunk make a bid…
At least Schalk Brits is not playing hooker 😛
Maybe he will be contracted to SA Rugby and they will deploy him where they see fit – like the Eastern Cape.
John is a top dog we all know that…but soon he will have to make way …for Bizzy…he’s almost ready.
I really like the noises and moves PdV is making. Has my full support. Predict we gonna win in NZ this year – 1st time in over a decade.
Bismark is a fantastic impact player whilst John is captain. So no complaints here.
I don’t think Rudi will contract John again – not this year, not this Super 14. If he does come back to the Sharks, I think he’ll be backup to Bis. Just my feeling.
John Smits ROCKS!!!!! (not my world though) 😉
Fantastic news and lets hope that he continues to get the support from the supporters..no doubt the old brigade will show face and question Smitties form over other hookers.This man was born to be a leader.
I just hope he can be th first SA Captain this century to lead the Boks to a win on NZ soil.
Cab
That will not be an easy task but we have the players available to do it.
John Smits ROCKS!!!!! (not my world though)
20.02.08 14:24:12 – KSA Shark ©
I would hope not KSA 😯
thought that was my job 😳
you did the same thing, KSA… that’s not CAB, it’s CSB!
😳
see what happens when you have your resolution set to high 😳
CSB welcome dude.
we should just learn to trust the pictures 😉
Cheers KSA,
how them Lions hey!
No to swiftly deal with the Blues with our understrength squad and in experienced players …
provincejoulekkading – ain’t that the truth 😆
CSB – i have always admired your positive outlook!
CSB
Your Lion’s FOOKED up my SB this weekend…………. 😉
Well THEM AND a few other teams. 😳
KSA, one could argue that your inability to predict the result of rugby matches is what fooked up your SB 😉
YOU WIOLL NEVER HEAR THIS FROM ME AGAIN!!!!!
Maybe I should have copied my wife’s predictions. 😳 😳
All I can say is thank heavens the Sharks played on Friday because if they had played on Saturday they would have lost , like all my Saturday choices.
The only way to be Robd,
Makes everyday a pleasure, Power to the Flower!
Power to the flower? You a Province supporter these days? 😉
Choose a drug rob, probably closer to the truth, right csb? 😮
😆 😆 😆 😆
YOU WIOLL NEVER HEAR THIS FROM ME AGAIN!!!!!
Maybe I should have copied my wife’s predictions.
20.02.08 14:41:41 – KSA Shark ©
😆 😆 😆
its ok KSA, it’s in ‘print’ so you won’t have to have to say it again…..we can just keep reading it 😀
I see the Kingdom lovebirds really know how to kill a thread with romance-talk. 😈
😆 jealousy makes you nasty BF 😆