Smit to feel Bismarck’s heat
29 Jul 2010
GRANT BALL writes that Bismarck du Plessis’ imminent return to rugby heaps further pressure on John Smit.
Smit has rightfully been criticised by former players, coaches and the media for his performances over this international season, especially on the Springboks’ Australasian tour. On his return to South Africa this week, that pressure would have increased with news that Du Plessis – the Boks’ first-choice hooker last year – is back in training and taking contact after being out for three months.
Du Plessis won’t feature for the Sharks this weekend, but is set for a return to the 22 next weekend when they play the Lions. It will take some time for him to regain his best form and fitness after a serious neck injury, but what has been clear regarding Smit is that his form spirals without having Du Plessis pushing him, although he won’t have that luxury now.
Du Plessis’ return to the playing field will be two weeks before the Boks’ first home Test in the Tri–Nations, and while it would be unrealistic to expect him to force his way into that squad in such a short time, Smit will know that further laboured individual and team performances will have his critics salivating.
Smit will start at Soccer City, as part of the fanfare in the build-up has revolved around it being his 100th Test. Peter de Villiers has also stated his intentions and placed his faith in Smit until the end of the World Cup, handing him a contract until then.
If Du Plessis recovers fully from the injury and rediscovers any sort of form similar to last year, there’s no question that he offers more playing value than Smit. However, in the Boks’ current player-driven system, Smit’s leadership takes on even more importance, although even those attributes have waned with his and the team’s form on the decline.
Against the top nations like New Zealand, Australia and France at a World Cup, the Boks won’t be able to carry passengers and they require the best players on the field – not selecting a captain and then basing the rest of the side around that.
Du Plessis’ unrivalled physicality and mobility that sees him act as an extra loose forward – which will gain even more importance under the new law interpretations – was the initial reason why Smit was moved to tighthead in 2008. With Smit being so off the pace in the Tri–Nations at hooker, the remaining question is whether he’ll continue to be used there through until the World Cup.
After being so selfless for the Boks throughout his career, Smit needs to make the decision on which position he’ll play. He believes he offers the most to the team at hooker, but he’s been hampered by putting on extra weight for the tighthead switch. What’s clear with Du Plessis set to return is that Smit needs to be better conditioned and he must display a level of form that will silence his detractors ahead of the World Cup.
Accommodating Smit and Du Plessis in the same team has been a problem for the Sharks and Boks since 2008, and it’s set to continue with Du Plessis’ return next week.
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210 Comments
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29 Jul 2010, 16:28 pm
48. OUToftheBOKS(OUToftheBOKS) :
It is a possibility mate
29 Jul 2010, 16:28 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-46: well tell that to my heart surgeon …that almost killed me you fool!
29 Jul 2010, 16:29 pm
50. charo(charo) :
rofl
29 Jul 2010, 16:29 pm
the title of this thread should be:
The infactuation with Plod has to stop!
29 Jul 2010, 16:30 pm
Hahaha
So now we get pumped and it’s ALL smit’s fault…
Wow that was easy!
I wonder if we can pin aids and unemployment on him as well:)
And global warming.
The cognescenti have spoken…
29 Jul 2010, 16:30 pm
@OUToftheBOKS(OUToftheBOKS)-48: I think you are right…
29 Jul 2010, 16:30 pm
@charo(charo)-50: plod can kiss and ,ake up as much as he likes….
may make him a better kisser….but he will stay an over the hill plodder of note and an albatross around the boks and sharks neck.
Plod can fetch the beers while Luke leads boks…..as it should be.
29 Jul 2010, 16:31 pm
52. grant10(grant10) :
Your too easy to wind up.
But I feel the same way when people insult JW too much as well
I’m a massive Smit fan but he needs time off so if they rest him now I have no problems with that.
Come Wc we will need him.
29 Jul 2010, 16:32 pm
@OUToftheBOKS(OUToftheBOKS)-48: yep, maybe Steenkamp will be tried at 3 with Smit at loosehead like the S14
29 Jul 2010, 16:33 pm
57. grant10(grant10) :
The Stormers were pretty **** under Luke while the Sharks have been one of the best SA franchises for years. They struggled this year and the Stormers did well (without Luke)
Luke is a trouble is a arrogant little kid. My brother wnet to school with him and he’s just trouble
29 Jul 2010, 16:34 pm
if smit moves to 1…..in place of guthro…it will be the biggest sin in the history of SA Rugby.
A move to 3 cant happen….he already complained that he feared for his safety.
Maybe a move to wing in place of habana….who seldom gets the ball or makes his tackles there anymore anyway.
Damn this sickness of having to accomodate Plod has hurt Sharks badly….now going to take the boks down….
And it is so farkenunneccessary.
Crazy….we still amateurs at heart.
now really outta here
29 Jul 2010, 16:35 pm
55. gunther(gunther) :
Indeed mate got to love it.
Grant10, aka Harry Viljoen – tree in the wind boy, calls me a fool but really needs a mirror
29 Jul 2010, 16:36 pm
@willievz(willievz)-56:
After watching Potgieter for a while now, I think he could easily fill the 6 roll. His general play and skill set is that of the classic tearaway and polishing his ground skills wouldn’t be too difficult with some playing time. Wickus made the transition easily enough. If he did, I reckon he be the perfect all round 6 in the McCaw mould.
29 Jul 2010, 16:38 pm
this is going to be a fun thread.
now we just need dawn, katman and ranger to join.
29 Jul 2010, 16:38 pm
61. grant10(grant10) :
Grant10 is the only professional around here as you can tell from his post
I’m sure you’ll be sending in your CV after WC2011.
29 Jul 2010, 16:39 pm
@gunther(gunther)-55: yes, if you want to wear Plod blinkers!
mhlathi wembuzi!
29 Jul 2010, 16:40 pm
@grant10(grant10)-61: a team needs its captain, Steenkamp to 3 might be the answer
29 Jul 2010, 16:41 pm
Mike H
Everybody who disagrees with grantie is a fool!
It’s a fools paradise…
29 Jul 2010, 16:41 pm
64. charo(charo) :
Exactly what Keo wants – these Smit blogs just rack up the hits.
You either love him or hate him. Seems very little inbetween
Most capped Rugby in rugby history and is treated like **** by his own fans.
Old Monty will know the feeling, luckily Jake could see through the moronic supporters hatred for the pretty boy.
29 Jul 2010, 16:45 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-59:
@grant10(grant10)-61:
Think that is what might happen. Correct me if I’m wrong: somewhere during the season, the Sharks fronted up with Plod, Bissie and Jannie? They KILLED the opposition (my memory is as good as a goldfish…so sh i ts…cant remember how often they played together).
Guthro is in good form, yes, but would you rather sacrafice bissy or guthro to have plod. thus, i think guthro and bissie are competing for a spot, because, although i hate to admit it…we need captain plod.
Loosies then: Juan smith, Heinz BRUSOU and Schalla at 8, with spies for impact.
BOOM
29 Jul 2010, 16:45 pm
And Grant10 – MAllet even admitted fropping Teichmann was his worst mistake
29 Jul 2010, 16:46 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-69: most capped my arse mike, all i’m saying is that smit is not fit NOW!
What happens @ the world cup or before it nobody knows. But for tri-nation 2010 smit shouldn’t be playing PERIOD!
29 Jul 2010, 16:46 pm
72. Transformation(Transformation) :
I do agree
29 Jul 2010, 16:47 pm
don’t shout me down…..but what about Watson at 8? Skillful and great hands…in fact the opposite of Spies who really is a wing.
29 Jul 2010, 16:47 pm
@OUToftheBOKS(OUToftheBOKS)-70: and yes, that might get guthro to 3…and this might work…Plod, bissie and guthro…bj and cj overated anyway…they were SOSed back, but have not impressed me AT ALL!!! Even if you dont like jannie, he was far better than B and C….J!
29 Jul 2010, 16:47 pm
71. Mike H(Mike H) :
Dropping Teichmann I mean
29 Jul 2010, 16:48 pm
The reality is that JS moved to tighthead because Bismark was the better hooker, we had a problem at T/H and we needed to retain his leadership skills. Unfortunately JS is no Keith Woods, who was also drawing a pension as well as his Ireland salary, and 2 is asking a bit much of him in todays high speed game at his age.
29 Jul 2010, 16:49 pm
@David(David)-63: To be honest David, I had a similar thought until quite recently, but have given up on that idea.
Potgieter is too talented in his allround game and too limited in his fetching game at this moment to specialise there.
For me, he is better at assisting the turnover than going for it outright. Slowing down ruck ball is becoming a very specialist trade, if it isn’t already.
At nr8, Potgieter has much greater freedom to express his natural game and to serve as a linking player between the forwards and backs. Modern opensiders are too engaged in the rucks and collisions to serve as a linking player.
Even as a blindsider, he would have slightly more freedom to gel together a collision point with the close channels (think the angle he ran in Cardiff).
I know you will argue that McCaw is the perfect exception to what I’ve just outlined, but he is a phenomenal player who can multitask on offense without compromising his primary responsibilities at the ruck.
29 Jul 2010, 16:49 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-69:
True no appreciation for the achievements of yesterday. I have faith this group will bounce back. Too much expierience , too much class.
29 Jul 2010, 16:49 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-72: he’s fit enough for prop, people just expect more of a hooker these days
29 Jul 2010, 16:50 pm
77. David(David) :
The more I think about Smit at 1 the more I like it.
Hard to leave Bissie out and a props playing careers is probably the longest on the pitch
Tell you Victor needs to shape up as well. Everyone is slating Smit but Victor has been **** this 3 nations as well. Missing kick-offs is a shocker
29 Jul 2010, 16:51 pm
74. XV(XV) :
You and Grant10 need a room mate
just kidding but ye Grant will love you for that comment. That makes 2 Watson supporters on this blog 
29 Jul 2010, 16:53 pm
I still think Smit needs a good rest this year. Moved to prop or not.
Victor and Habana also do.
29 Jul 2010, 16:53 pm
AND PLEASE GIVE MAPOE A CHANCE! that guy is seriously talented! Get him fit, injury free, and he WILL be the best wing in world ruggas…thats what me thinks.
29 Jul 2010, 16:53 pm
@David(David)-77: A scrummaging hooker can still play in the modern game, but not for more than 60 minutes.
This alone should be an alarming signal regarding the captaincy issue.
29 Jul 2010, 16:54 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-81:
Smit Bissie Guthro (can he move to 3…versatile enough?)!
BOOM
Problem solved.
Next…
29 Jul 2010, 16:55 pm
@XV(XV)-74: I think Watson is a better 8 than Spies but imo there are better 8s than both for SA. Alberts, Van Niekerk, Potgieter and possibly Vermuelen might be better bets.
29 Jul 2010, 16:56 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-82: Mike I know he has his detractors but he really is a great 8. Just a pity that the side show circus muddies the water……
29 Jul 2010, 16:57 pm
@willievz(willievz)-85:
I think bissy is stronger than plod anyway…be it plod built as a fatty prop, but bissy has the mongrel…we need that…and I think he is grown up enough not to make too silly stupid angry lash outs (remember when he just came on the scene for the boks against coneight (cant spell that dialect those fools talk)…he m o e red that ou stupid!
29 Jul 2010, 16:59 pm
@grant10(grant10)-47:
Eish take it easy bru.
Just trying to think outside the box a little. This is the problem everyone is so touchy about their favourites, anything out of the ordinary is rediculed straight away.
I would only try that combo against lesser opposition or in a Springbok “A” team as mentioned by Gecko. I think it has lots of potential.
It is about combinations Grantie. I put Kanko there because he brings the pace to that loose trio and I believe he can manage at 7 with the right support. I don’t want Smith or Burger because then what pace do I have in my back 3? You see now?
With Steggies we have one of the best un-injured fetchers in the country, Duane gives you abbrasiveness, ball carrying abilty and ruck work and Kanko gives you ball carrying ability and out and out pace.
All about combinations my good man.
29 Jul 2010, 16:59 pm
@willievz(willievz)-78:
I think Pottie could be almost as good, especially with his link and support game, which McCaw is excelling at now.
Glad you saw what I was getting at regarding McCaw.
BTW. Your unanswered comment yesterday about my preference for a creative 12. It’s true to a point, but for me it’s the 12/13 combo of a big straight runner and a distributor, regardless of which number. BOD made Roberts because of his running lines that opened gaps for him, and remember BOD started at 12, only moving to 13 to make place for D’Arcy, Conrad is the perfect foil for Nanu.
29 Jul 2010, 17:00 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-87: Big Hit. I have always been a fan of Van Niekerk. Alberts and Potgieter also show a lot of promise. I remember watching a clip of Watson cross kick for his wing to collect and score. Not many number 8′s can do that. But there again I also think that Pienaar should be our flyhalf…….The trouble in SA is that there are so many good players that the trick is in the selection!
29 Jul 2010, 17:00 pm
88. XV(XV) :
Ye with so many things mate.
I do think Luke has matured in the last year or so.
I do like Van Niekerk, I’d love to see him in S15 again.
I really rate Spies but it seems when we struggle he really is nowhere to be seen which makes us struggle more. I used to rate his defense but it hasn’t been what it used to be. Picking atatckers up and driving them back. 2008 he was fantastic.
Maybe even though he is one of the younger core members he needs a rest.
29 Jul 2010, 17:00 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-80: excuse me Big Hit, but you are talking rubbish! Smit is fronting @ 2 NOW, i don’t care if he is fit enought to stop an outsurance truck! He is not fit for a Test hooker.
what part of that is ambiguous? If in England the standard is for you Test hookers to only make the fitness levels of Props to play test rugby, that’s you sh*t really… This is SH rugby against the top 2 nations in the world, the supreme manne!
Get it straight
29 Jul 2010, 17:02 pm
@willievz(willievz)-85:
Good point.
29 Jul 2010, 17:05 pm
Anybody that realistically believes that JS should be starting is lying to himself…..the worst lie of all !!!!!
Get over the sentimentality that is clouding your judgement.
In case you have not noticed we are getting hammered with the legendary captain on the field and he is /has been the worst contributor in the last 3 games.
JS should do the right thing and that is to call it a day after the 3N.
This we need him to take us to the WC is sentimental bull sh it and will in fact cost us the WC !!!
29 Jul 2010, 17:06 pm
94. Transformation(Transformation) :
Transsie chill on the agression man. It’s a Thursday afternoon, take a chill pill. Everyone agree’s he is out of shape for Hoomer right now. Even Thompson seems to be fitter – I actually think Thopson played really well for the English in Aus.
Big Hit you have become a real old one of the Saffa boys
I remember a few years back when you were quite a aggressive critic of SA rugby and it was blatently obvious you were a NH man.
29 Jul 2010, 17:07 pm
@David(David)-91: I have no doubt that Pottie could be as good, if not become better.
But just think about the mental aspect – it would be a massive injustice to a fantastic player when asking him to specialise in a trade that is possibly his worst attribute at current.
I would not risk it.
But what do you think about my suggestion regarding the stepping and accelerating 12 as a prospective boon to the SA game?
29 Jul 2010, 17:09 pm
@XV(XV)-92:
that is because watson has the mind of a flyhalf playing in the body of a ……
…of a……
…of a…..
bugger, really battling now
29 Jul 2010, 17:09 pm
96. justrugby(justrugby) :
You need JS at the WC, not taking him will cost you a WC.
and to say that JS is the reason we have been losing is also ridiculous, it has contributed but there are a lot of players that need rest and conditioning and some that need to raise their game and some that are selection mistakes (not including JS being selected)
At a WC you need level heads, JS is the only one that can do that right now for SA. Victor at test level just doesn’t match Smit as a captain
Happy for them to rest Smit after Soweto for the rest of the year.
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