World of Boxing and Rugby Union
Hooker
3. John Smit
John Smit is the most capped captain in rugby history and arguably the greatest leader the sport has ever known.
In his 93 Test career to date, the inspirational hooker has led South Africa to every major championship in world rugby. Along with being the most capped captain in Springbok history (67), he’s also the most capped hooker (78) and most capped forward (93). He’s played most of his career at hooker but has also scrummed down at tighthead prop on 15 occasions. He made his Springbok debut off the replacements bench against Canada in East London on June 10, 2000 and continued to pay his dues until he finally earned his first start against Argentina in November that year.
Smit was in and out of the starting line-up the following year before a recurring shoulder injury brought his international career to an 18-month halt. He was recalled for the 2003 World Cup in which he played in all five matches and became the 50th player to captain the Springboks in the 46-19 win over Georgia in the pool stages.
When Jake White was appointed as the new Springbok coach in 2004 he named Smit as the man who would lead South Africa on a permanent basis. The duo immediately struck a winning partnership as they guided the Boks to their first Tri-Nations title since 1998 and the IRB Team of the Year award.
Smit went on to play in a Springbok record 46 consecutive Tests between 2003 and 2007 before he
was sidelined by injury ahead of the Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Durban. He recovered in time to captain the Springboks in the World Cup in France later that year where he played in all seven games and led South Africa to their second World Cup crown with a 15-6 victory over England in the final.
Smit suffered a groin injury due to a spear tackle by New Zealand lock Brad Thorn in the opening Test of the 2008 Tri-Nations which ruled him out for the remainder of the competition. He returned on the end-of-year tour of Europe where he captained the Boks to victories over Wales and Scotland before they handed England a record 42-6 drubbing.
In 2009, he led South Africa to a 2-1 series win over the British & Irish Lions and scored a memorable try in the narrow 26-21 win in the opening Test at his beloved Absa Stadium in Durban. He followed this up by captaining the Springboks to Tri-Nations glory which included a historic hat-trick of victories over archrivals New Zealand.