Natal Sharks hooker John Smit will captain the Springboks this year. Smit was appointed by the Board of SA Rugby on Thursday. He will replace Corne Krige who announced his retirement from international rugby after the World Cup last year.
Smit has played 26 Tests and has captained the Springboks against Georgia in Australia at the World Cup last year.
He captained his school, Pretoria Boys High, the Northern Transvaal Craven Week team, the SA Under-21s, the Sharks Super 12 and the Natal Currie Cup side.
”John is not a fly-by-night,” said Boks coach Jake White. ”He has captained many sides before and he has served his time. I have full faith that he will pick himself on merit and not only as captain.”
”Every person I’ve spoken to is totally committed to excellence and we want to take the Springboks to a better postion in world rugby,” said Smit.
The board made two other appointments, replacing Tim Lane as the Cats coach with Chester Williams with immediate effect. Williams, the former Springbok wing, will be assisted by Lions coach Frans Ludeke, while former Bok coach Ian McIntosh will be the technical adviser for the Cats.
Pieter de Villiers, who is currently coaching the Falcons, will take over from White as the SA Under-21 coach. – Sapa