Smit: it’s now or never for Springboks
Twelve years ago, Martin Johnson led the Lions to a totally unexpected victory, with Irishmen Keith Wood, Jeremy Davidson, Paul Wallace and Eric Miller playing pivotal roles in the 2-1 Test series win, even if the outstanding hero was England’s Jeremy Guscott with his late, late drop goal to clinch the series in the second game.
World Cup hero Smit was one of a number of players who returned from overseas clubs to have a crack at adding a Lions series victory to add to a surprise World Cup triumph the Springboks recorded in France in 2007.
He initially left South Africa and headed to France after leading his country to that second World Cup victory, but he has admitted that it was the lure of playing against the Lions that forced him to move from Munster’s great European Cup rivals Clermont Ferrand and head home.
The prospect of facing the Lions was all too much for others as well. Victor Matfield moved on from Toulon after just a year and others turned down the prospect of decent overseas contracts.
After two years of waiting, the moment has arrived; the Boks captain says his players are ready to make history.
Smith said he has waited for a long time to get a crack at the Lions; admitting that all South Africans are still smarting from the 1997 defeat.
“There is huge excitement. The rarity of the series is a factor, as is the fact it means so much to the players.
“Now we can only hope and pray the quality of the game will match the excitement and anticipation. We have to pay respect to how important these three games are and do them justice.”
“We’ve all seen some pleasant rugby played by the Lions and not exactly what we’ve expected. They have a widespread attack and they’ve shown they want to create space and width.
“They’ve got Brian O’Driscoll who can carve through the middle and they’ve got a good kicking game as well. They’ve picked a phenomenal team.
“They haven’t just come here to tackle and hope that will do the trick. They can attack and defend and I’m sure they will be happy with the way they are coming into the game.
“We can only hope the game matches the hype that has been created. Because of the rarity of the occasion the hype has been bigger than for many other Test matches.
“It is going to be hugely contested over the next three weeks. There is so much at stake for both teams because there won’t be many players left in 12 years time to try again.”
He has admitted that the Test series should be settled up front. “It’s going to be hot and steamy in the front row. All the fat boys will tell you the cliché that it all starts and ends up front. I still believe it has an impact.
“There are old and new campaigners in the forwards. It’s an area that will be a priority for me and I’m looking forward to it. It’s a nervous occasion only because of how important it is.”
Maybe, however, there is some doubt within the Springbok squad. Smith intimated as much.
“The biggest fear of any coach or captain is wondering if you have covered every little detail going into a big game. We’ve had two very productive weeks and the starting line-up has had pretty good rhythm.
“You get into a situation as a captain where you try to freshen things up because we’ve been together as a squad for a long time. They’ve all heard me give the same ‘Braveheart’ speech over and over again, but there is not a lot I’ve felt I’ve had to do in terms of motivation since we’ve been together. Still, for a first up game, there’s always a little doubt.”
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