John Smit is being done a massive disservice at the moment, one that could spell disaster and cost him the Springbok captaincy for the Rugby World Cup later this year.
When Peter de Villiers laid out the roadmap for the Springboks for the 2011 World Cup season yesterday, one statement stood out above all else – he will only name his captain on the 2nd of May.
After the disaster that was the Rugby World Cup in 2003 new Springbok coach, Jake White, took little time to name his captain. Such was his faith in John Smit that he named him long before even picking his first Springbok squad.
Under White, Smit excelled as captain. Of course it was not all plain sailing as everyone will remember, where in 2006, a year before the Rugby World Cup in France the media and public wanted both to be sacked from their respective roles within the Springbok setup.
Both of course silenced their critics in the best way possibly, by winning the World Cup a year later in 2007.
Smit, along with many senior Boks including Victor Matfield decided that their future following the 2007 world event was in Europe and continued to take up lucrative deals with European clubs.
Then came the surprise selection of Peter de Villiers as head-coach for the Springboks in 2008. I say surprise because at the time (and even now), many believed the job would/should have been given to Heyneke Meyer.
One of the first things De Villiers did when taking up the job, was fly to France to chat to Smit to try and establish whether the Rugby World Cup winning captain would still be interested in leading the Springboks under De Villiers.
De Villiers quite obviously shared the same faith in Smit as a leader for the Springboks as Jake White did before him.
Smit returned and after a disastrous start to De Villiers tenure in 2008, the Springboks completed a magical year in 2009 by winning the British & Irish Lions series in South Africa, followed by a Tri-Nations title in the same year.
Many people wondered at the time if the senior Boks, including Smit of course, would call it a day after the Lions series as there was nothing really left for them to achieve. To many people’s surprise, they all stuck around. Their motivation? To be part of the first team to successfully retain the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
Not many coaches in the world would have forced these players to quit. How could you? They were the toast of the rugby world at the time!
Then… the experiments started, specifically with Smit.
De Villiers believed at the time that if Smit is going to the World Cup, moving him to tighthead prop was the way to go as this would extent his career. Over and above this, the apprentice at the time and also a World Cup winner, Bismarck du Plessis, could no longer be ignored.
Most will have you believe the move to tighthead prop was a massive failure, so in 2010 Smit was quietly being re-introduced to the hooker position at Springbok level.
At the end of 2010, after yet another disastrous season for the Springboks, Smit decided to stay at home for the End of Year Tour to undergo an operation. In came Victor Matfield to take over the captaincy, but more importantly, stepping up to the hooking position was Bismarck du Plessis.
The End of Year Tour was not plain sailing for the Boks either, wins over Wales, Ireland and England were overshadowed by a shocking loss against Scotland. However, Bismarck was in scintillating form, regarded by many as the best hooker in world rugby at the time.
Fast forward to 2011, the season that will define Smit and other senior Boks and whether they deserve to be included in the Rugby World Cup squad judging on their form in the extended Super 15 competition.
Sharks coach John Plumtree had no hesitation to name Smit as his team captain for the 2011 Super Rugby event, being one of a long list of coaches who recognises Smit’s ability not only as player, but as captain.
But Plumtree faced a massive problem, in fact, the same problem Peter de Villiers faced and still face as Springbok coach.
The Sharks front-row ironically happens to be the first choice or regular Springbok front-row apart from player of the year 2010, Gurthro Steenkamp, who also missed the End of Year Tour due to injury.
Plumtree had to make the decision on who will make up his front-row between the Beast, Bismarck, John and Jannie du Plessis, all players who represented the Springboks in 2010.
His solution? Again ironically enough not far from what Springbok coach Peter de Villiers tried…
“John Smit, having the ability to play anywhere in the front-row will cover all three positions in the front-row.”
Ingenious, or foolish?
He stuck to his word too. After one/third of the Super 15, Smit was selected on the bench after an early season niggle against the Blues and Force and came on as hooker, he played tighthead against the Rebels, and loosehead against the Chiefs and Crusaders.
Some of these selection were injury enforced, but the fact that John Smit’s starts had been limited to both prop positions, and none in his Springbok position of hooker, has done him absolutely no favours.
I made mention of the fact prior to the start of the season that Smit’s ability to cover all three positions is a massive bonus, and one that would serve the Sharks extremely well, but covering these positions, should not mean starting him in all of them when you have specialists available.
John Smit is a hooker, and in Bismarck du Plessis and Smit the Sharks (and Boks) arguably have two of the top 3 or 5 hookers in world rugby today. Smit’s role therefore should primarily have been as a hooker, who in a crisis, can pack down at either prop (the operative word being crisis).
Plumtree’s obvious dilemma came by naming Smit captain which has seemingly forced him to start Smit whenever fit, even if that means at prop while having Jannie or Beast or even young Van Staden having to shift to the bench.
It is the wrong decision.
The Sharks are in an enviably position to rotate Smit and Bismarck throughout the tournament, having two of the best hookers in world rugby fit and fresh for the duration of this marathon, and more importantly, in top form for the Boks later this year.
If captaincy is the issue I believe Plumtree is getting this wrong too.
A captain’s role during the 80 minutes he spends on the field in a match, probably makes up 20% of his job as the team’s leader. The Sharks have also shown that they have many capable on-field leaders in their ranks that can easily keep things together in the absence of Smit if he is starting from the bench, or rested completely.
And although it goes against conventional thinking, there would have been nothing wrong with naming Smit squad captain but not necessarily team captain of the match-day 22 if he comes from the bench.
The problem that Peter de Villiers face, is that the only player that could possibly challenge Smit for the role of Springbok captain for the 2011 season and World Cup, Victor Matfield, is not covering himself in glory either at the moment.
Whether it is a question of EITHER Smit or Matfield as captain, or EITHER Smit or Bismarck as hooker, I go back to what I said last year – ‘Why should it be a case of either, if we can have both?’
Peter de Villiers will arguably make the most difficult, and single most important decision on May 2nd, and if I can leave him with one thought, or one example, it would be the decision taken by Nick Mallet months prior to the Rugby World Cup in 1999, where he decided to drop his long-standing captain Gary Teichmann, mainly thanks to public and media pressure similar to what we see now.
He would be well served to look beyond what is said now about a player like Smit right now, and rather concentrate on knowing what he brings to the team and his importance if we are to retain the Rugby World Cup.
EXCELLENT article Morne.
@ Loosehead:
Thank you.
@ Morné:
Now, what is the solution?
@ Loosehead:
Simple.
For the Sharks, rotate Bismarck and Smit. Each team will play 16 games in this tournament, splitting this between the two will be not only logical, but important. But use John exclusively as a hooker who can, in a game, or minutes before kick-off cover prop in a crisis. That is the only instance he should be considered for prop.
If John starts, he captains, simple. If he plays from the bench, make Oupa Stef captain but John remains squad captain (a lot happens off the field apart from the 80 minutes we see).
This will leave both John and Bismarck in excellent shape not only through the S15, but the Boks later too.
For the Boks.
Apply the same principle
John is the RWC squad captain. Identify team captains within the Bok team and there are plenty – Matfield, Jean, Schalk, Juan etc.
IN a World Cup you play 3 group matches, and 3 play-off matches, 6 matches in total in just over a month.
Depending on the form of both players, you select your team accordingly.
The 3N should give us enough answers heading into the tournament too.
In conclusion, I will not go to a World Cup without Smit, nor Bismarck.
Forget the captaincy, they are the two best hookers in SA.
John Smit have never been the best hooker in South Africa, and is not even currently one of the best two hookers in the country. His leadership qualities is all a myth. You can also use the 1987 RWC victory by New Zealand as an argument against your 1999 RWC argument where South Africa got rid of Gary Teichmann as captain, and yes we could’ve won that world cup, it was a freaky Larkham drop goal that sunk us, something he had never done before that game. Do I think Teichman would’ve made a difference? No.
Van Straaten ‘his leadership qualities is all a myth’. Why do you say that when from where I’m sitting everybody who has either played or worked with him have said exactly the opposite to your contention.
John Smit didn’t play most of the 2007 Super 14. He played as captain and the Sharks choked. They played their best rugby without him. That Sharks team was more talented than our Bulls team. Currie Cup 2008 he didn’t play Sharks won, Currie Cup 2010 he was on the bench the Sharks won. Any captain worth his salt would step down when he is obviously not good enough to reach the team anymore. Remember Andy Dalton had to withdraw because of an injury, David Kirk took over in 1987 and lead the All Blacks to the World Cup. Gary Botha is the most unlucky hooker in the history of South African rugby, he’s been better than Smit all his life. The fact is you can’t respect a guy who is obviously not good enough. The rugby world cup we won, we can ascribe that to Wayne Barnes. We all know we wouldn’t have beaten the All Blacks. His career have been filled lately with absolute super moments like his wonderful tackle on Nonu in his 100th test. The Boks haven’t perform enough with the talent we have, and I don’t just blame our useless coach, but also our overrated captain.
I figured out who the Bulls player is who killed the people with an axe, its really sad he’s not someone I would’ve expected it from, his daughter must still be very young and I think a lot of people would’ve reacted in the same way. Really saddened that it happened to him, he was a good servant of Bulls rugby, and you never ever saw him get really aggressive on the field when he played for the Bulls.
The Bulls team of 2011 is the perfect example of a team that lacks a true captain.
vanStraaten wrote:
i think van straaten you have the wrong guy in mind, i dont rate this player at all , in fact i dont really knew he was a Blue Bull. He grew up in Natal so i think he might be a Zulu,… anyway read the article and decide yourself.
Joseph Ntshongwana, the 34-year-old former Blue Bulls rugby player accused of three axe murders, has a history of mental disturbance.
This emerged on Wednesday when he appeared amid tight security in court for the first time on charges of murder,……..
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Ex-Bulls-player-charged-for-axe-murders-20110331
If it weren’t for JS we would have lost against Samoa WC 2007, we were in tatters and 20-25 behind when he calmly gathered the troops behind the posts and from the moment they lifted their heads after the huddle you could see from the looks and body language the boys were willing to run through walls…..which we did within two minutes thereafter!
@ Morné:
I agree with this logic.
We cannot win a WC without leadership and experience.
However it seems to me that PDV does not realize that we will not win the 2011 WC with a 2007 team and game plan.
This will be his downfall.
The selection and game plan needed to win the 2011 WC is a very difficult task and beyond our current coach.
The game has changed and moved on and we have not moved our player skills and game execution along as far as the All Blacks have.
@ superBul:
Just glad it’s not Johan Wasserman! Read they say it was a former Bulls flanker who was 33 years old and played for the SWD Eagles with Bevin Fortuin. Wasserman is 33 years old turning 34 later this year. Played for the SWD Eagles from 1997 – 2000, and Bevin Fortuin played for them in 2000. They were part of the same squad.
I don’t remember that guy, he probably never even played for the Bulls, typical sensationalist media reporting.
#12 volgens SA RUGBY
PERSONAL DETAILS
FULL NAME Joseph
SURNAME Ntshongwana
HEIGHT 184 cm
WEIGHT 95 Kg
BIRTH DATE 08 September 1977
BIRTH PLACE Umtata
MARITIAL STATUS Single
FAVOURITE FILM The Lion King
FAVOURITE MUSIC R & B, Soul
SECONDARY SCHOOL Umtata High School
TERTIARY EDUCATION Settlers Agric. High
SQUAD LIST
Eagles Vodacom Cup – 2002
Blue Bulls Pres A SA Cup – 2000
Mr Price Blue Bulls Bankfin Currie Cup – 2000
Mr Price Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup – 2000
Blue Bulls Bankfin Currie Cup – 1999
Blue Bulls U/21 Bankfin Under 21 – 1998
South Africa U/21 South Hem. U21 – 1998
Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup – 1998
South Africa Barbarians Other National Games – 1996
Ok, so this guy did not have a daughter,seems like he is very mentally unstable.
But back to the main thread. Smit has had his detractors from day 1, but he has won many people over, myself included. He is by far the better captain than Matfield.Would have loved to see him at the Lions this year. With his experience and captaincy, the Lions may have had a few wins under the belt, and he would not have had to worry about his position.
By now De Villiers should have known who his captain will be for the WC. But the 2007 stars are not all performing as they should. De Villiers should start blooding some of the up and coming youngsters in the 3n and allow the experienced guys some rest time, but he will play them into the ground. One can see it in Matfield and Smit, and even in FDP.
I think coaches should work in 2 year cycles. Not 4 year cycles where they build up to the world cup. It’s a bit late now to start blooding youngsters for the world cup. The year end tour last year would’ve been perfect to take a young side and rest the more experienced players.
Gary Botha was exposed in the last world cup, he is too light and our scrums simply failed with him hooking.
John Smit simply has to be the Captain if we want a chance of retaining the world cup.
I think having him as a squad Captain and him and Bismarck are the two hookers, has some merit.
Mwatarira is much better in loose play so he should be loosehead (first choice) as props I think they are similar (him and Barney). Smit should be hooker first and be subbed at tighthead if needs be. Gurthro had a purple patch last year but at no time before that do I think he was in any way superior to Smit at tighthead. Jannie Dup gets exposed time and time again against the top teams….CJ is also not that hot but he can play loosehead and tighthead, so he should be the backup. Gurthro must be tested first this year sometime before a decision is made on him. The rest of the team is fine, except at fullback and personally I think Lambie should start at flyhalf and Morne should be at fullback. Lambie is much better in broken play and Morne’ is more solid than any of the current fullbacks, then he is also there for the kicking. On current form Hennie Bekkers little boy should start ahead of Matfield.
oops cockup….Gurthro is loosehead isn’t he?
I think it is common consensus that John Smit is not in the same class anymore purely as a hooker compared to Bismarck du Plessis.
In the same line of reasoning both Beast and Gurthro are better loosehead props…
Also at tighthead John Smit is not the best in SA.
So, that leaves me with the only conclusion that his captaincy and previous World Cup experience is what brings him anywhere near the Bokke run-on team.
Contemplate this, as I acknowledge the fact that he is a fine captain…. Is the difference in positional player value compared to what he adds as captain enough to keep the world’s best hooker, Bismarck away from a starting spot?
or
Are we a lot of shit-scared individuals who do not like too much change around us, therefore the hisitancy to select a new captain in Matfield or Jean de Villiers or Schalla?
My personal belief is that John’s captaincy is not of adequate value (compared to the alternatives) to make up for where he is clearly inferior to Bismarck or Beast or Gurthro or Jannie du Plessis.
A captain must firstly be one of the 15 in the run-on side who deserves to be a starter, thereafter one looks amongst those 15 players for a suitable long term captain as someone who will be starting every time in ONE specialist position.
I am not malicious when I say this, I am simply not obsessed with John Smit and of the opinion that he is needed at the World Cup.
There are enough other 2007 winners left in the squad….
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