John Smit headed for 2010/11 Aviva Premiership Champions Saracens – Rugby news
Watford based English rugby union club, Saracens, has announced the signing of Springboks World Cup winning captain and hooker, John Smit. Club officials confirmed Smit’s switch from Sharks to the Saracens in a statement released on their website on Wednesday,
July 13.
The statement read, “John Smit has agreed to join Saracens, he will join the Premiership champions after the World Cup.”
Saracens are the current Aviva Premiership champions and Smit’s signing has definitely strengthened their squad and its chances to defend their title next season.
The Polokwane born Smit has played 103 games for the Springboks since his debut in June 2000 against Canada at East London. Smit has proved to be a versatile front row forwards player and has played at both prop and hooker positions for Springboks and Sharks
in the last season.
Besides being the most capped forward for the Springboks, the 33-year-old Smith holds the record of the most capped captain at 76. He is also the Boks' most capped hooker with 87.
John Smit led Springboks to their second World Cup title in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. In addition to this, he has also won the Tri Nations titles in 2004 and 2009. In other honours, Smit has also won the South African Player of the Year Award in 2005.
Saracens’ director of rugby, Mark McCall, has expressed his delight at securing the services of one of the world’s best hookers. He said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have signed one of the most prominent and admired players in world rugby.” McCall further
added, “John is an outstanding leader and hooker, and I am certain he, Roxy and their children will all thrive in our environment.”
Smit has expressed his excitement on signing the contract with Saracens. He said, “I am delighted to have signed for a club widely renowned for their ferocious work ethic and spirit on the field, it is becoming a very special rugby club, combining a cast-iron
commitment to develop young English players with a clear South African flavour.”
Besides Smit, Saracens currently employ Smit’s former team-mate Schalk Brits as hooker. Brits himself is a renowned hooker, however, the club has not provided any details regarding the position at which Smit will play.
Saracens’ Chief Executive Officer, Edward Griffiths confirmed that they were in search of another hooker for some time to provide depth to the squad, and as soon as Smit became available, they signed him.
Smit expressed his desire of playing with his former team-mate and talented young English players. He said, “I'm looking forward to rejoining former teammates like Deon Carstens and Brad Barritt, and also to working with players like Jamie George, last year's
England under-20 hooker."
Smit will lead the Springboks in their 2011 Rugby World Cup to defend their titled and will join the Saracens in November, later this year.
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