Boks skipper Smit braced for battle royal with Wales

SPRINGBOKS skipper John Smit is braced for a battle with Wales’ “game-breakers” at the Millennium Stadium today.

Smit’s world champions are red-hot favourites to beat the RBS 6 Nations title holders for a 10th successive time. But 78-cap Smit, who has been switched from hooker to tighthead prop, believes Wales will provide a stern test.

“Wales have a good year,” he said. “There is a lot of confidence and self-belief there. They’ve got the game-breakers in their back-line, and they’ve also two nominations for this year’s (International Rugby Board) player of the year award (Shane Williams and Ryan Jones).”