John Smit to lead Reeboks in forthcoming rugby World Cup
John Smit has been named as skipper of the South African team for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup. With the announcement of his nomination he has become the second skipper to defend the title he won for his side.
He led the South African team during the RWC 2007 and secured the title for his team. The Rugby World cup kicks off this year on 9th September in New Zealand.
Prior to Smit, only Michael Lynagh, the Australian skipper, had the honour of leading a side in world championship successively after grabbing a world title.
Lynagh won the RWC 1991 for Australia and again he was given the charge of the team again for RWC 1995. Smit was confirmed as the Proteas’ captain yesterday by the Reeboks coach, Peter de Villiers, who also announced the other official of the team management
for the biggest rugby event this year.
The South African coach announced yesterday that Victor Matfield will be the vice-captain of the team and Erasmus will perform the duties of technical officer.
De Villiers ended up the chaos and confusions caused by the media regarding the leadership of his side yesterday evening. He told reporters that it was never an issue for him to select a skipper for his unit as exaggerated by the media. The local and international
media was consistently slating de Villiers for delaying the appointment.
The coach told reporters that the decision has been made after consulting the all relevant officials in a two-day national camp. The South African Rugby Union had announced three similar camps for the preparations of the world cup.
The coach defended the appointment of veteran, John Smit, saying that it would provide the Reeboks an ideal opportunity to defend their title. He also said that Smit has rare qualities of leading from the front and Matfield’s assistance as a vice-captain
would further enhance the performance.
John Smit won the confidence of the selectors for the second time and was very happy with the decision. He admitted that he was expecting the appointment but was not sure about it.
Smit argued that there will be no pressure of captaincy upon him as he has done it earlier, quite successfully.
Tags: