FORMER Springbok skipper John Smit has formally retired after Saracens lost the English Premiership semifinal to 27-13 against the Northampton Saints on Sunday.
Smit, 35, is set to take up the job of Sharks chief executive on July 1, but he was hoping to play in one more match, in the Premiership final with the English club before returning to Durban to pursue a career in the boardroom.
Smit has been at Saracens for two seasons following the 2011 World Cup and has been an immensely influential figure at the English club during his brief stay.
“Well it’s weird to say that my 16-year career has finally come to an end today,” Smit tweeted.
“I’m so grateful for every memory and to every teammate, supporter and mostly my wife for allowing me to live my dream at the expense of her career. Thank you everyone for a magical 16 years.”
Smit was schooled at Pretoria Boys High but was unable to secure a contract with the Blue Bulls despite making the SA Schools team in 1996.
He signed for the Sharks after school and made his first-class debut in 1997 at loosehead prop for the Sharks against Western Province in a Currie Cup match where he came up against the feared Garry Pagel. Smit impressed coach Ian McIntosh and was retained for the following week’s clash against the touring British and Irish Lions.
The callow 19-year-old held his own in a match the tourists won 42-12 and after the game Lions prop Jason Leonard presented Smit with his jersey. In 2000, Smit returned the favour and gave Leonard his number two jersey after his first start at hooker for the Springboks.
Smit went on to play 111 Tests for the Springboks, leading them to the 2004 and 2009 Tri-Nations titles, triumph at the 2007 World Cup and also a series win over the British and Irish Lions in 2009.
“I’ve had some amazing moments in my career and I’ve had some sad ones, like losing my 100th game ,” Smit said after Saracens lost the Heineken Cup semi final against Toulon two weeks ago.
Smit is a natural leader and has enjoyed success at almost every level he has captained, which started with victory at the 1999 Sanzar-UAR U21 tournament – a forerunner to the current Junior World Championships.
At that tournament, Smit as skipper led the team to victory over New Zealand in the final. Jake White was the assistant coach and the pair formed a strong bond, which would strengthen further when White became Bok coach in 2004.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey for John after hitting the scene with an eye- catching performance against the British and Irish Lions in 1997,” said White.
“His leadership was unmatched and what he contributed to the Springboks and I’m sure to every team he ever played for, was immense. At heart he’s a real team man and that was an important part of his success.”
Smit holds three Springbok records – the most capped player (111 caps), the most capped hooker (96) and the most capped skipper (83) – and is also the most capped South African player in Super Rugby history with 125 appearances for the Sharks.
In all he played 377 first-class matches, which also included 19 appearances for French club Clermont, 46 caps for Saracens and three for the British Barbarians.
Smit hangs up boots
Smit, 35, is set to take up the job of Sharks chief executive on July 1, but he was hoping to play in one more match, in the Premiership final with the English club before returning to Durban to pursue a career in the boardroom.
Smit has been at Saracens for two seasons following the 2011 World Cup and has been an immensely influential figure at the English club during his brief stay.
“Well it’s weird to say that my 16-year career has finally come to an end today,” Smit tweeted.
“I’m so grateful for every memory and to every teammate, supporter and mostly my wife for allowing me to live my dream at the expense of her career. Thank you everyone for a magical 16 years.”
Smit was schooled at Pretoria Boys High but was unable to secure a contract with the Blue Bulls despite making the SA Schools team in 1996.
He signed for the Sharks after school and made his first-class debut in 1997 at loosehead prop for the Sharks against Western Province in a Currie Cup match where he came up against the feared Garry Pagel. Smit impressed coach Ian McIntosh and was retained for the following week’s clash against the touring British and Irish Lions.
The callow 19-year-old held his own in a match the tourists won 42-12 and after the game Lions prop Jason Leonard presented Smit with his jersey. In 2000, Smit returned the favour and gave Leonard his number two jersey after his first start at hooker for the Springboks.
Smit went on to play 111 Tests for the Springboks, leading them to the 2004 and 2009 Tri-Nations titles, triumph at the 2007 World Cup and also a series win over the British and Irish Lions in 2009.
“I’ve had some amazing moments in my career and I’ve had some sad ones, like losing my 100th game ,” Smit said after Saracens lost the Heineken Cup semi final against Toulon two weeks ago.
Smit is a natural leader and has enjoyed success at almost every level he has captained, which started with victory at the 1999 Sanzar-UAR U21 tournament – a forerunner to the current Junior World Championships.
At that tournament, Smit as skipper led the team to victory over New Zealand in the final. Jake White was the assistant coach and the pair formed a strong bond, which would strengthen further when White became Bok coach in 2004.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey for John after hitting the scene with an eye- catching performance against the British and Irish Lions in 1997,” said White.
“His leadership was unmatched and what he contributed to the Springboks and I’m sure to every team he ever played for, was immense. At heart he’s a real team man and that was an important part of his success.”
Smit holds three Springbok records – the most capped player (111 caps), the most capped hooker (96) and the most capped skipper (83) – and is also the most capped South African player in Super Rugby history with 125 appearances for the Sharks.
In all he played 377 first-class matches, which also included 19 appearances for French club Clermont, 46 caps for Saracens and three for the British Barbarians.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos