Former Sharks and Springbok captain John Smit will be returning to Kings Park for one final swansong when he leads a World Invitational XV against his former team, the Sharks.
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The match is his farewell and thank you to Sharks and Springbok supporters who have loyally followed and supported his rugby career over the past 11 years, and will be played on Friday, June 22.
The organisers of the event have assembled a team of some of the best players from around the world that include some of his former Sharks and Springbok teammates, notably Johann Muller, Ruan Pienaar, Percy Montgomery and BJ Botha. Former Australian loose forward Phil Waugh and Kiwis Luke McAllister and Doug Howlett will also feature. The balance of the team will include internationals from England, USA, France and Italy.
“I wanted the opportunity to say my final rugby farewell to fans, and this match is my way to also say thank you to those who have supported me over the years”, Smit told the Sharks official website.
“We will also be using the game to launch my new foundation The John Smit Foundation, and begin the fundraising efforts for it,” said John.
The assembled team will also be known as Barney’s Army, a name derived from John’s nickname, Barney. Coach for the team will be Ian MacIntosh, who was John’s first professional coach at the Sharks.
“I have enjoyed a wonderful professional career that had its beginnings in Durban with the Sharks and then, of course, carried through into the Springboks. To be able to have the game here is very special to me and to have the caliber of international players who have agreed to play, very touching.
Some are former foes, some are my best mates, it’s very exciting. I am also very grateful to the Sharks management for embracing this event and agreeing to host it at my old stomping ground. I can’t wait to run out once more at Kings Park.”
The match takes place at the end of the Sharks one-month mid-season break and will also give the local team game time ahead of returning to Super Rugby action.
“John has been a loyal and faithful servant to rugby in KwaZulu-Natal and the Sharks team, so it is fitting that we are able to give him this opportunity to play once more at his old stomping ground, albeit in the Barney’s Army jersey,” said Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl.