John Smit appointed as Springboks Captain for Rugby World Cup, SARU yet to confirm
South African Rugby Union (SARU) has not announced the captain for the Springboks campaign for the Rugby World Cup 2011.
Meanwhile, John William Smit is publically opinionated to retain the captaincy for the Springboks’ quest to secure the world cup crown. SARU earlier today have announced the preliminary 51-member squad for world cup 2011 that includes the seven. Reports
are that the SARU will announce the Springboks captain on May 2, 2011.
In their first phase of planning team for their Tri Nations and Rugby World Cup announced 51 players would attend a two-day meeting on May 1 and May 2, following to which SARU will announce the Captain for Springboks. Springboks Coach Peter de Villiers has
laid down the route for the team’s preparation for the year. Before the Tri Nations, SARU will hold three camps and then announce their final team for the season during the first week of the July.
Captaincy issue triggered as the SARU has not confirmed Springboks 2007 rugby world cup winning team Captain John Smit as the team captain. 33-year-old Smit so far has played 102 matches for the Springboks since his debut against the Canada at East London
in June 2000. Besides being the most capped forward for the Springboks, he also holds the record of the most capped captain for Springboks.
John Smit famous for his versatile attributes has already lead the Springboks to their second world cup crown during Rugby World Cup 2007 and has won Tri Nations titled in 2004 and 2009. Smit mostly played at Hooker while occasionally featured as Prop (tight
head).
Smit earlier this year has missed most of the Sharks matches during the Super XV after sustaining the injury. In his absence, Sharks have used Bismarck du Plessis as Hooker. John Smit returned to Sharks in their game against the Lions but current Springbok
captain played at Prop position. Sharks coach preferred to use Bismarck du Plessis as hooker in place of the Smit as du Plessis is performing better than Smit.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has met with Springboks coach De Villiers to discuss the Smit’s playing position particularly keeping in view the fact that Bismarck has impressed with his performance in the same position.
In past few years, during the absence of John Smit Springboks, their Lock and Bulls captain Victor Matfield did led Springboks successfully. For now, John Smit will be looking forward to confirm the Sharks place in the Super XV play offs particularly after
having a poor past four – five weeks; in which Sharks lost three of the four matches they played.
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