I am glad to hear that Springbok captain John Smit is not thinking of retiring anytime soon. The 50th Bok skipper says he wants to defend his team's title at the World Cup in 2011 and only then will he consider calling it a day on his illustrious career. The former Pretoria Boys High scholar who has over 88 caps has been instrumental in the success of the Boks, maintains that he still has two years left in him at International level.
The Pietersburg or Polokwane born Smit has proved that a successful team needs a strong leader in order to achieve true greatness. Smit has proved on numerous occasions that he is capable of getting the world's top ranked team to dig deep when it matters most. I think people underestimate the role of the captain in the team's play and Bok supporters have taken for granted Smit's leadership qualities because the Boks have been playing like a well oiled machine since he has been in charge.
Smit's move to prop from hooker has been pretty smooth and indeed a stroke of genius from the Bok coaching staff. It has allowed him to prolong his career and in turn lead the Boks to more success, good thing Smit did not listen to Jake White when the World Cup winning coach said he should retire because he could only go backwards from where he currently was. Smit has since been on his own winning way. Long may it continue.