John Smit is set to become world's most capped captain

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Bizkit87

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in the beginning, i weren't really a fan of the guy

but over the years, he has proven himself as a captain again and again, so although he might not always have been the best hooker, he did a brilliant job as a captain.

So John! Congrats, hopefully this moments is accompanied by another victory over the AB's !!!
 
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stix

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// Personally i believe Jon is the difference between this being a good side and an average side.
// One only needs to look at how we perform without him - we buckle under pressure, make stupid decisions etc
// And he is deserving ! Legend
 
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hoegh

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yip, not the best hooker in the world but by far the best captain and he gets the guys to work as a unit so well, his presence is worth two players
 
Mephisto_Helix

Mephisto_Helix

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A genuine bloke too ... really has the passion for the Green and Gold. He has my respect and best wishes :)
 
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Picard

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What do most rugby players do once they retire from the game. Most of them have only played rugby since leaving school?

what wold John Smit do as a job if he were to leave the game, say in a year or two?
 
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Smooth Criminal

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Picard said:
What do most rugby players do once they retire from the game. Most of them have only played rugby since leaving school?

what wold John Smit do as a job if he were to leave the game, say in a year or two?
Click to expand...
That applies to most sportsmen. In cricket, most of them get involved in commentary and coaching. In rugby they either appear to get involved in coaching and development of the game, or go the Naas route and become a TV presenter :D
 
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Sting

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From wikipedia:

John William Smit (born 3 April 1978 in Pietersburg, South Africa) is the 50th and current captain of the South African national rugby union team, the Springboks. He has played most of his career as a hooker, but played twice for the Springboks off the bench as a prop prior to the South Africa coaching staff's decision to use him as a tighthead prop for the 2008 end of year Tests.[1] On 22 November 2008, he surpassed prop Os du Randt as the most-capped forward in Springboks history.

Smit went to Pretoria Boys High School where he was head prefect in 1996 and played in the First XV from 1994 to 1996.[citation needed]

Smit played his first Springbok game in 2000 at the age of 22, when South Africa beat Canada 51-18 at Basil Kenyon Stadium in East London. He was on and off of the reserve bench until 2004 when he was made captain of the squad by then new coach Jake White.

As of 2005 Smit is one of South Africa's most successful captains ever, having led the Springboks to victory in 16 of the 22 games that he captained, a win percentage of 72%.[citation needed] This makes him just as successful as other South African captains such as Gary Teichmann and Francois Pienaar.

Smit's leadership qualities came to the fore in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, his calm under pressure and inspirational captaincy seeing South Africa win the William Web Ellis Trophy for the second time. Smit led South Africa in the 2008 Tri Nations against Australia and New Zealand. In the first game against New Zealand in Wellington, he was spear tackled by New Zealand lock Brad Thorn who was suspended for one game. He missed the rest of the 2008 Tri-Nations because of a groin injury and veteran Springbok lock, Victor Matfield, led the side.
 
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