John Smit departs to Saracens after RWC

APoc184

APoc184

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http://www.rugby15.co.za/2011/07/bok-captain-john-smit-departs-to-saracens-after-rwc/

Cheers old chap. Never the best hooker but certainly the best leader we had.

World Cup-winning Springbok captain John Smit today announced via social media platform Twitter that he will, after the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, join up with English Club Saracens for two seasons.

Smit made the announcement early this morning, stating that he is very proud to be joining up with Saracens and looking forward to a new chapter in his illustrious career.

The 102 Test veteran will be leading the Boks later this year in an effort to become the first nation to win back-to-back World Cup titles. Smit was also in at the helm of the Boks when they beat England in the 2007 RWC final in France to claim their second World title.

Smit will join a Saracens squad loaded with fellow South Africans like Derick Hougaard, Justin Melck, Schalk Brits and Mouritz Botha to name but a few.

South Africa kick off their title defense on 11 September against Wales in Wellington, New Zealand.



John Smit’s Tweet:

It’s official,I proudly announce today that I’ll be joining @saracens once this season is over for 2 seasons & look forward to a new chapter
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Yes, rugby greats like Smit and Habana find themselves at these crossroads once in their careers: drag down the team for pride or find greener pastures. Often when they go, the haters crawl out of the woodwork. Like when Habana left the BULLS, many of my fellow supporters disowned him on the spot, forgetting the great services he had provided the team, most notably the 2007 S14 final win. While they are put out to these greener pastures, I wish them the best of luck and thank them for their dedicated service and hard work. And the same goes for Smit - one of the best captains the Boks could ever wish for and certainly among the most successful. Some may say this is overdue but he remains a great guy and commands respect from rugby fans outside of both the Sharks and the Boks and that is commendable.

Good luck and thank you.
 
Read that McCaw and Carter signed another four years at NZ.

Makes you wonder if SARFU couldn't counter the offers? NZRU gave McCaw and Carter better offers.
 
McT said:
100% agree. Will be very interesting to see who the next captain will be. Might come from one of the 'B-siders' on the tour of down under.
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Should be interesting to see which way they go. Adriaan Strauss has been quite influential at the Cheetahs. If he is around in the Bok team next year, I would pick him. But by the look of things it is going to be Chiliboy
 
I think too many people have forgotten just how good a hooker he was.. He was rightfully the first choice hooker for sa many many many years ago. Real pity he's been badly managed.. Still don't know if he's going to play prop or hooker, and there's a major difference! He put on so much weight to play prop, to find that he not very good at it ( and in fairness, it isn't easy to change positions and then contest against guys who've been props their whole lives) and now he isn't a very good hooker anymore cause he hasn't played much.
Come wc, I'll still play smit ahead of bismark. Smit is the best leader we've ever had and, unlike bismark, is very disciplined..

Saracens are lucky to get him! There's a lot to learn from him...
 
From my sources he will be rotated between prop and hooker.

Schalk Brits will remain the first choice hooker.
 
APoc84 said:
Should be interesting to see which way they go. Adriaan Strauss has been quite influential at the Cheetahs. If he is around in the Bok team next year, I would pick him. But by the look of things it is going to be Chiliboy
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Personally, I believe that Juan Smith should be the next Bok captain, but I feel a ''political choice'' will be made. While I have nothing against Chilliboy, the fact is that he has been unable to unseat Gary Botha from the Bulls' hooking berth as well as the vice-captaincy/captaincy role. And more importantly, he is not a better hooker than Bismarck and in order for him to do a John Smit and play ahead of better hookers, then he has to be as great a captain as Smit, which is massively unlikely.
 
thestaggy said:
Personally, I believe that Juan Smith should be the next Bok captain, but I feel a ''political choice'' will be made. While I have nothing against Chilliboy, the fact is that he has been unable to unseat Gary Botha from the Bulls' hooking berth as well as the vice-captaincy/captaincy role. And more importantly, he is not a better hooker than Bismarck and in order for him to do a John Smit and play ahead of better hookers, then he has to be as great a captain as Smit, which is massively unlikely.
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+1. Got a feeling Schalk Burger will get the nod for Bok captain after the WC.
 
Look, I LOVE :love::love::love::love::love: Juan Smith but I feel he plays better when he is not captain. Even for the Cheetahs.

I'm somebody that analyze players quite a bit and Juan gets too emotional when decisions aren't going his way. Last year in the Super 14 he captained the Cheetahs and in a few games the 50/50 decisions went to the opposition. Also some dodgy calls that went against his side and he started taking it out on his own players when they made mistakes. Clearly showing his displeasure when somebody knocked the ball. He couldn't handle the pressure and was even man enough to admit it in post match interviews later. Saying he didn't handle it correctly.

Juan is a guy that wants to play rugby and nothing else. I won't choose him as captain. But he will always be the first player I select when I pick a Bok squad. And it has nothing to do with me being a Cheetahs fan. The guy is a legend and rock hard, just like Ruben Kruger(R.I.P) & Andre Venter.
 
APoc84 said:
The guy (Juan Smith) is a legend and rock hard, just like Ruben Kruger(R.I.P) & Andre Venter.
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I could not agree that he falls heavily into that mold. Doing all the basics very, very well and affording his other loosies more space.
Wonder how Ashley Johnson would have performed if he had Juan there....
 
Good luck to him and I hope he does well in the UK. Hopefully this won't be the end of his rugby career in SA... maybe he will come back and be involved behind the scenes.

Schalk is probably the easiest choice for captain. Or maybe Juan de Villiers?
 
hungrybeaver said:
Good luck to him and I hope he does well in the UK. Hopefully this won't be the end of his rugby career in SA... maybe he will come back and be involved behind the scenes.

Schalk is probably the easiest choice for captain. Or maybe Juan de Villiers?
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Did you mean Jean de Villiers? Or is this some freak hybrid of Juan de Jongh and Jean de Villiers?! :p

Yes Jean was also looked at as a captain by Jake white iirc.
 
hahaha ya I meant Jean. Not sure who else is a viable option as it would need to be someone good enough to claim their spot every single game.
 
hungrybeaver said:
hahaha ya I meant Jean. Not sure who else is a viable option as it would need to be someone good enough to claim their spot every single game.
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Yes, that is the problem. Or atleast someone that will not be less then 2nd best in the position.

I am really thinking Schalk Burger.
 
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