If John Smit is really the patriot and team man he claims to be, he would make the hard choice that Springbok coach Peter De Villiers cannot – withdraw himself from the World Cup squad.
After Bismarck Du Plessis’ colossal performance against the All Blacks today, even the most jaundiced eye must admit that Smit has no place in the Bok starting line-up – and he is certainly not an impact player – so where does that leave him?
Surplus to the needs of the team.
People praise his leadership, but what true leader is content to be a liability on the field? Smit’s defense has been diabolical all season. He lost the Boks a crucial clash against the All Blacks in Soweto last year with a missed tackle, and has continued that form since.
The opposition now deliberately target him with runners, usually to great success. Watching him flop around, humiliating himself, is just embarrassing for Springbok fans, and should be for him too.
His work rate is pathetic – he’s usually hanging out on the wings rather than putting in the hard yards, and even his throwing has been sub-par.
If his leadership is so crucial to the Bok side, it must be from the stands as a team manager; Smit is unfit for duty on the field.
But do the Boks really even need his leadership? His 65 percent win ratio as captain is frankly pretty poor. Victor Matfield has grown into a very accomplished leader – one could argue even more so than Smit.
Matfield has captained the Boks fourteen times, with only three losses – twice against Australia and once in the disastrous Scotland game of 2010, a loss which came down to poor selection more than poor captaincy.
Matfield has captained the team twice against the All Blacks, securing the famous victory in Dunedin, and then again yesterday in Port Elizabeth. His Bulls squad has hoisted the Super 14 trophy three times – something Smit has never done – and have routinely beaten the Crusaders (the bulk of the New Zealand squad) in play-off rugby for several seasons in a row.
Matfield does not fear McCaw and his All Blacks, no matter what jersey they are wearing.
He is still pre-eminent in his position, and feared by teams around the world.
Matfield is clearly the man to lead the Boks to victory over the All Blacks, the primary obstacle to South Africa defending their World Cup title.
John Smit, the patriot and pragmatist, must step aside for a better captain in Matfield, and a better hooker in Du Plessis.
If he is really coaching the side, as many suspect, he needs to do it from the coaches box, alongside the last members of his supporters club.
Stuff Happens
Guest
I think everyone agrees that Smit is not one of the top three hookers in SA. Comparing him with Bismark is farcical. No idea why they persist with him when they are fortunate to have Matfield one of the best leaders in rugby. Every other coach will hope he's selected - which is a bit sad really, but he risks embarrassing himself & the 'Boks.
Orcadian
Guest
Re: 2010 loss to Scotland. Poor selection? Here's the team that day: Kirchner, Aplon, F. Steyn, de Villiers, Mvovo, M. Steyn, Hougaard, Mtawarira, B. du Plessis, J. du Plessis, Botha, Matfield, Stegmann, Smith, Kankowski. Apart from the back row that looks pretty solid to me and barring two changes (Pienaar for Hougaard and Spies for Stegmann) it was the same starting XV that beat England comfortably one week later.
pim
Guest
Agreed- you can't have captain playing only 20 minutes in major games & then potentially screw up everything done for the first 60 min. by missing tackles & playing no role in the hunt for the loose ball(Bismarch is a second Brussouw). The other thing is that by pulling out of the squad (he can go along as an "advisor") he can also free up a place for a player like Ralapaele who is(I hate to say it) the right colour & also a better hooker anyway.We must be realistic- PdeV will have to take at least 12 players of colour to the WC. Believe me the polititions will put a lot of pressure on him for him to do so. So John Smit please do the honorable thing and make yourself unaivalable.
tubby
Guest
you still need a specialist hooker on the bench. Sure BdP is normall good for the full 80, but one injury and there goes your scrums and lineouts. Who else really fills that role? Ralapelle? Strauss is very good but I dont think fits in as a last 20 player. Derek Kuun would have been better served staying as a 2, as a loose fwd as a junior he offers the liveliness that works well for a hooker off the bench.
Taetjo
Guest
Rubbish. Would Gary have stopped Larkam's drop-goal?
niwdEyaJ
Guest
can't have a captain that only turns up for the last 20mins of the game... Bismark is clearly the best option at hooker - the guy is an animal - hits rucks, always going for the ball, tackles like a machine and does his fair share of hit-ups too... he's more than fit enough for a full 80mins so there's not much point wasting a bench spot on Smit. I think Deans has done PDV a favour in dropping Elsom for Horwill. Now the precedent has been set, PDV should be able to do the same with Smit... I hope he doesn't though!!!
Dave
Guest
Hey guys, remember when Nick Mallett replaced Teich with Bobby just before the World Cup? How did that work out for us? I think the system with John coming on in the last 20 worked well.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I agree. I watched him run(more like waddle) out when he replaced Plessis on the weekend. It was very apparent that he looks a shadow of his former self. It is sad in a way and I've seen it on many an occasion a captain going on longer than he should (Gregan) he would be soooo much better coaching the side to a (maybe) WC victory than perhaps being the reason they may loose a game and not make the finals etc.
frikkie
Guest
Agreed!!!
Rusty
Roar Guru
I agree with this. I dont mind Smith running the "minor" games or warming the pine till the last 10" but the man is so far behind the curve in relation to Bismarck its laughable to suggest he should be starting ahead of him
Taetjo
Guest
Agreed! The man misses more tackles than toddlers trying to catch rodents.