John Smit
As of November 30, 2012 National November 30, 2012
John William Smit (born 3 April 1978 in Pietersburg ) is a South African rugby union player who plays on the positions of pillars and Hooker for the South African national team, the province of Natal and in the Super 14 for the Sharks. It was founded in 2007 with the " Springboks " world champion.
Career
Smit was in 2000 made his debut for South Africa as a substitute in the game against Canada, which was won with 51:18. He was a regular substitute with the following Tri Nations, his first game in the starting lineup followed in November of the year against Argentina. His first attempt for the national team he put in 2001 against Italy. Due to a shoulder injury then he fell out for 18 months, to the world championships in 2003, he returned. He was employed in all five games and was against Georgia for the 51st captain of the " Springboks ".
Under the new national coach Jake White Smit in 2004 was appointed permanent captain. This year South Africa won for the second time after 1998, the Tri-Nations tournament. Between 2003 and 2007 he ran in 46 consecutive international matches before an injury put him at the Tri Nations 2007 out of action. The year had started for South Africa with two significant victories over England, but the Tri Nations were disappointing. At the World Championships succeeded in South Africa to win all the games and to become world champion for the second time. Smit was doing in all parts used.
Following the World Cup title Smit moved from the Sharks to France to ASM Clermont Auvergne. He was there among other things in the final against Stade Toulousain used, the Clermont but lost. Previously, he had reached with the Sharks in the Super 14 and the finale was inferior there against the South African rival Bulls. After only one year in France, he returned to South Africa. The Tri Nations 2008 New Zealander Brad Thorn put him with a spear tackle incapacitated and Smit fell for the rest of the tournament. At the end of the year he came back and celebrated with South Africa three victories over British national teams, among others, were added in England the heaviest home defeat of the story. He was also captain of the Barbarians in their clash with Australia.
In 2009 Smit captained South Africa to two wins and so on winning the Test series against the British and Irish Lions. In addition, South Africa also won the Tri-Nations tournament.