Injured Springbok captain John Smit returned home to South Africa on Wednesday dejected and angry.
The 30-year-old Smit has been ruled out of the Boks’ next two Tri-Nations Tests, on Saturday against the All Blacks in Dunedin and on July 19 against the Wallabies in Perth.
Smit, who led the Boks to World Cup triumph last year in France, injured his groin during the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington last weekend when he was picked up and dumped by All Black lock Brad Thorn off the ball and after the whistle had gone.
Thorn was subsequently cited and suspended for one match for an act contrary to good sportsmanship. This has not only angered Smit, but the Bok team as well.
Smit pulled no punches when asked how he felt about his injury and Thorn’s suspension.
”Just imagine Bakkies Botha doing something similar to Richie McCaw. World rugby would have come to a standstill,” Smit said.
”Yes, I’m angry. I’m really not happy about having to sit in South Africa and watch the Springboks beat the All Blacks in Dunedin.
”It’s been a great ambition of mine to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand. Now I have to wait another year. And with two Test matches in New Zealand, this was an ideal opportunity.
”We came here to win both matches, not only to win a Test in New Zealand. So far we have failed, but there is another opportunity.”
Smit also questioned the disciplinary process. The fact that Thorn was suspended for ”unsportsmanlike behaviour” instead of foul play or a dangerous tackle has been discussed at length in New Zealand.
In 2006 Wallaby wing Lote Tuqiri was banned for five matches following a spear tackle on All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.
However, a year earlier no suspensions were handed out when British Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll was seriously injured during a spear-like tackle early in the first Test against the All Blacks by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu.
”One almost gets the idea that anyone who is not from New Zealand does not have the same rights as someone who plays for the All Blacks,” Smit said.
”I was suspended for six weeks after a Test match in France for running into someone with my elbow held in front of me. It was not nearly as nasty as what happened to me last Saturday.”
Smit’s place in the Bok starting team will be taken by Bismarck du Plessis, with Schalk Brits coming on to the bench. Victor Matfield will take over the captaincy.
The South African team will be named on Thursday. — Sapa