Smit: it’s now or never for Springboks

SOUTH AFRICA captain John Smit will lead the Springboks into the rarefied atmosphere of a Test series against the British and Irish Lions today with one fierce message to his men — it is now or never.

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.