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John Smit came under much flak. Called the third-best hooker who, the critics claimed, would not have been in the Springbok team if he were not captain and did not receive preferential treatment from Jake White, he then became sidelined with injury.

But the past four months have seen a sudden surge of public affection for Smit. The Bok team looked all at sea without their inspirational leader and seemed an unsettled unit in the scrums.

Before the team left to contest rugby’s ultimate prize, Smit spoke to Leadership about South Africa’s Rugby World Cup campaign and the possibility of winning the Webb Ellis trophy in France.

John, to what do you attribute your long run of 46 consecutive test caps?

The reasons for this are vast, I think. Firstly, it takes a coach who believes in you wholeheartedly and then it takes a body and mind that can withstand a fair number of bumps and bruises and a few cheap shots here and there. Fitness has always played a major role in the type of rugby that I play, so when my fitness is good my rugby is good and the same can be said for when my fitness is bad. The other two reasons must be our amazing medical staff who have had to conjure up a miracle or two every now and then in the run that I had and some would say Lady Luck, but I believe the Big Man has blessed me beyond belief.

In the early stage of the Rugby World Cup, the crunch game for us will be the one between South Africa and England. How do you fancy South Africa’s chances?

It is almost the identical scenario to 2003 when the England game will determine your destiny as a team. The difference this time is that England doesn’t have as strong a mental advantage over us as they did then due to the fact that we have beaten them both home and away recently. This, however, is not going to make our challenge any easier, as they are going to be a very competitive side at the World Cup and they will be doing everything in their power to defend their title.

We play in Pool A. If we win it, we will most probably face Wales in the quarter finals. If we beat the Dragons, we might play against France or Ireland in the semi-final. Is it a tough draw?

In a World Cup your draw is important, but not make or break. The reality is that to be world champions, you need to beat everyone against whom you play. The other factor is a little bit of history that shows no team has won without topping their pool. There are no shortcuts to being a championship side, so every game you play should be seen as a final.

Professor Tim Noakes said because the Bulls and the Sharks contested the final of the Super 14, “the greatest South African sporting feat in the past 10 years”, it showed South Africa has world-class coaches, systems, infrastructures and brilliant scouts. Would you agree?

I truly believe we have had the best players for many years now, but the difference these last two years with the Sharks and Bulls is that they have both been guided by great coaches who have had two or three years to gain experience in the competition and time to work with the players. So consistency has been the order of the day for both teams over the last couple of seasons, which is something quite rare in this country.

Noakes maintains we have a more than 50 percent chance of winning the Rugby World Cup because we have found a way of beating the All Blacks, and in at least seven positions we have the best players in the world. Do you agree?

I would like to believe it is more than 50 percent, but that’s just me! To be quite frank though, a question like this can only be answered on the field in France.

How do you feel about the unifying effect of rugby on the nation?

As a sport, our country needs rugby to do well, it almost seems as though the psyche of South Africa on a Monday morning at work is determined by the result of the Boks on the Saturday! When we win, South Africa is winning together and there is no greater cultural barrier breaker in the world.

What were your greatest moments as Springbok captain?

I have had some great moments as captain and all these moments are made by the players I was lucky enough to have around me. Being chosen was certainly a very proud moment. Winning the Tri Nations in 2004 was awesome. I have also been privileged enough to meet and get to know Madiba who, for me, is the greatest South African champion we have had.

What makes a good leader and what are the most important qualities needed to be a successful Springbok captain?

Leaders differ, but there are certain characteristics that remain constant. Every leader is reliant on one thing and that is a following. How he or she achieves that will determine the success of their leadership, some demand respect and enforce that through fear which creates a less than ideal situation, but leaves the following resentful and fearful. We see this in teams, politics and business throughout the world. I would like to believe that I don’t operate in this way – my sole objective as a captain is to empower as many around me as possible and, in truth, my success will be based upon how well the team can operate without my presence. For me, a true leader creates something better while he is responsible, so I hope that when my time is done with Springbok rugby, it will be a better team.

How difficult is it to be a Springbok captain in a country that religiously follows the game with such passion?

It is a game followed solely on emotion in this country, which makes the highs incredibly high and as you can imagine, the lows are very, very low! As with everything in life, you take the good with the bad.

Who had the greatest influence in shaping and forming your leadership qualities at a younger age?

Perhaps the biggest influence in most people would be their upbringing as a youngster and that is where I am very fortunate. My parents, Val and Basil Smit, gave me the perfect platform off which to launch my life through the lessons bestowed upon me from a young age. They sacrificed much for my benefit through expensive schooling and self-sacrifice, so everything I have become can be attributed to the parenting I received. I was also lucky to have some special teachers and coaches at school who put much faith and trust in me and I in turn loved the opportunity of not letting them or my parents down, but rather making them proud.

What leaders do you admire most?

Madiba, obviously, is one of my heroes for his sheer determination for peace and his continual dismissal towards revenge and retribution. Rugby-wise I always admired Gary Teichmann from a young age and when I finally met and played with him, he far exceeded the pedestal I had put him on – always a great example who could enjoy himself and treat people from all walks of life very well.

Where were you raised?

My mother is a teacher and my father a mechanical engineer, two older brothers David and Brian, so you can imagine being the youngest of three brothers I was always going to be influenced heavily by their habits, which lucky enough for me was rugby. They all went to Capricorn High School in Polokwane and all played first team there and I can remember as a young boy them trying to teach me how to pass with my left hand! As my dad transferred quite often through the mines, we were in some interesting places as kids, namely Penge, Potgietersrus, Pomfrey, Naboomspruit, Pietersburg, Mooinooi, Boksburg and then finally ended up in Rustenburg, which is why my folks sent me to PBHS.

When you played at Pretoria Boys High, did you have dreams of playing for Northern Transvaal or were you a Shark?

It was pretty tough at school, but since I first knew of the game my team has been the Sharks. I can remember shouting for them in the Currie Cup while at school and taking much flak for that, so to be offered a contract by the Sharks in my matric year was a dream come true.

Many pundits believe that South Africa is playing a great percentage game – that our defensive systems and kicking games are sound, but that we need to improve our ability to play with the ball in hand if we want win the Rugby World Cup. Your views?

Believe me, the only systems and game plans that will matter at the World Cup will be winning rugby. No one cares how we are going to win it. They just want us to win it. I believe firmly in the path we have chosen towards this World Cup.

What part of winning a rugby international is the psychological part of it – the self-belief, the confidence and the ability to out-psyche the opposition?

Having the upper hand is very powerful, as it creates or reaffirms the belief in the team to overcome that very opponent the next time you play them.

Share something about your personal life presently.

I’m married to my school sweetheart, Roxane, the first girl I ever kissed back in 1990 and certainly the last! We have a 10-month old daughter, Emma-Joan, who is truly the best thing I have ever created. We live in La Lucia, Durban.

What are your plans after the Rugby World Cup?

The time has come for a change, I have been playing for the Sharks for a decade now and at 29, I leave for France in November to play for Cleremont. I loved every second with the Sharks and will always be a Shark and who knows – perhaps I will return to the Sharks one day.

Who is the best rugby player in the world in 2007?

Only time will tell, which is why I’m training my arse off!

What have you found to be the best way to handle criticism when the Boks have lost?

Wait for the sun to rise the next day and gasp in amazement!

How do you motivate the Boks at half time when they are down and their body language suggests they are disheartened?

It is hard to explain in words, but somehow when the need arises for me to step up, the words and actions come from somewhere, quite where I’m not sure of, but grateful for. It is not often, though, as the guys playing are grown men, some with children, who realise the seriousness of what we do.

What part of Springbok rugby do you dread the most?

Press conferences and interviews. I don’t think I have had a private life for four years now, but France should be a little different.

What is the most rewarding part of being a Springbok?

Running out for your country, singing the national anthem and having the hopes and dreams of a nation balanced on your shoulders for 80 minutes.

John, what are South Africa’s chances of winning the Rugby World Cup?

I’m obviously biased in terms of how I think we will fair this year, but realistically the build-up to this tournament started way back in 2004 when Jake took over. As a team, we have come on in leaps and bounds and the maturity of the team has progressed dramatically. We believe as a team that we can bring the Webb Ellis Trophy back home where it belongs and that is the most important factor for any team. To achieve, you must believe!

How would you like to be remembered?

No-one is ever remembered. But if you think back on me once in a while, hopefully you will say honourable, honest team man.

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