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21/02/2008 10:35
JJ Harmse
The return of John Smit as Springbok captain for the 2008 season is good news indeed. And very important. The Rugby World Cup Boks and the new regime under Peter de Villiers needs a common denominator - and Smit will be exactly that.
His leadership abilities certainly were a highlight to those who travelled with the Boks to France last year and for once, there was no one, myself included, who did not believe that Smit was one of the stand-out hookers at the tournament.
The decision by De Villiers to re-appoint Smit certainly opens up a whole range of issues - and confusion - as there have been many conflicting reports on what De Villiers was going to do about the senior Boks and those perceived to be close to the coach.
Jake White of course, also indicated very early on that Smit was going to be his main man, so there should be nothing out of the ordinary with the announcement on Wednesday that Smit is coming back to lead his country.
Changed his mind
However, did De Villiers not say that he will pick his team first and then his captain? I can recall at least two published interviews where he indicated that every player would have to prove himself the best in his position and only after he has picked the 15 best players in their positions, he would look at one of them to captain the team.
Clearly, he has changed his mind or was advised differently in the past couple of weeks. He also indicated that he did not promise Smit anything, but declaring him as captain for the season is clearly a promise of some sorts.
We have a couple of Bok hookers in the country. Bismarck du Plessis was the logical replacement to Smit and Tiaan Liebenberg, Hanyani Shimange and Chiliboy Ralepelle were all the mix in the last year or two.
The announcement must have been a huge shock to them and their ambitions for the year. Add to that the claims of Willie Wepener at the Lions, Richardt Strauss at the Cheetahs and even Schalk Brits, and it is clear that De Villiers first call on his new side has caused distress to many players.
No guarantee
I for one welcome Smit back. As mentioned, his leadership abilities have been proven beyond doubt. However, he was not starting at Clermont at the time of his injury and even played a couple of games at loosehead, where many pundits believe he could also be successful.
There is no guarantee that Clermont will pick him as first-choice hooker for the rest of their season, so Smit could arrive back home underdone and not quite ready. If that is the case, will De Villiers still pick him?
Also, White gambled with Smit's career by playing him in Test match after Test match. Luckily for him, Smit only broke down once in four years, but that almost proved tragic. Smit recovered and made the World Cup with just a couple of weeks to spare.
How will De Villiers use Smit? Will he play him into the ground as White did, or will he rest him when needed?
Calm and experience
What seems clear is that De Villiers has opted against Victor Matfield as a possible captain, and maybe as a player. He has not spoken to Matfield since his appointment and has clearly turned his back on the lock's expressed desire to captain the Boks.
De Villiers had to start somewhere and I think he did okay. Smit will bring calm and experience to the set-up and will be able to rally the senior players to the national cause.
I wonder what now for those who expected and reported that De Villiers will appoint Luke Watson as captain. If that is true, it will only happen in 2009, it seems. It is no secret that Smit was not happy when Watson was forced on the team last year in the Test against Samoa. Comments by Watson about White added to the tension.
Momentum
A tabloid even reported that Smit was angry with Watson because the latter dated Smit's wife while both players were still at the Sharks!
The truth of the matter is that Smit was unhappy about the decision by the administrators to force Watson on the team. His wife had nothing to do with it. It will be interesting to see how the two will cope if picked for the same team.
The momentum should be with the Springboks this year, despite the fact that White has moved on, as well as most of his management. It was important for De Villiers to hold on to something that was instrumental to the success of the World Cup. Smit was it. It was a rugby decision. Question is, will he be respected for it?
Read JJ every Sunday in Rapport.
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