The decision to sideline Eben Etzebeth for the upcoming battle with the All Blacks has sparked significant chatter, but John Smit, a true titan of South African rugby, backs the bold strategy. With Rassie Erasmus shaking up the Springboks' lineup, including a total revamp of the backline, eyebrows have certainly been raised. Yet, it's the omission of Etzebeth, a juggernaut in the team, that's been dubbed by many as "an absolute tragedy."
Despite the uproar, Smit, a veteran who has seen it all, understands the game's demands and supports the head coach's choice to rotate. "Just take Eben as an example, he’s been an absolute soldier, he’s got to be one of the greatest Springboks we’ve ever had in terms of the physicality that he brings and the way that he plays," Smit shared in a reflective tone.
"To leave him out seems like an absolute tragedy for everyone, but you look at what he's replacing him with and we’ve got an amazing stock in quite a few positions,"
Smit added, highlighting the depth in the squad. With Lood de Jager stepping in and RG Snyman taking a spot on the bench, the team isn't exactly left wanting in terms of talent and grit.
Concerns over team morale and potential internal conflicts with such decisions are always a topic of discussion, but Smit reassures that there's a universal understanding within the squad. "You talk about whether or not that would cause uproar within the team, I think the team has learned very, very quickly in this last six-year period that the jersey doesn’t belong to anyone and they’ve got to work for it every week," he elucidated, shedding light on the competitive spirit that Erasmus has cultivated among his players.
The conversation Smit had with Jesse Kriel, who has occasionally captained the side, underscored this ethos. "I was sitting with Jesse a couple of weeks ago and even he’s worried about whether he’s going to make the team for the weekend," Smit recalled, pointing out the high stakes and the high standards set by the coaching staff.
"That’s the one thing I really enjoy. You don’t really see a Springboks team just lie down and die, or become complacent, this group keeps on working really hard every game,"
Smit concluded, his words a testament to the relentless drive and resilience of the current squad, proving that while the exclusion of a player like Etzebeth might sting, it's all part of a larger, strategic play that keeps the Springboks competitive on the world stage.
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The decision to sideline Eben Etzebeth for the upcoming battle with the All Blacks has sparked significant chatter, but John Smit, a true titan of South African rugby, backs the bold strategy. With Rassie Erasmus shaking up the Springboks' lineup, including a total revamp of the backline, eyebrows have certainly been raised. Yet, it's the omission of Etzebeth, a juggernaut in the team, that's been dubbed by many as "an absolute tragedy."
Despite the uproar, Smit, a veteran who has seen it all, understands the game's demands and supports the head coach's choice to rotate. "Just take Eben as an example, he’s been an absolute soldier, he’s got to be one of the greatest Springboks we’ve ever had in terms of the physicality that he brings and the way that he plays," Smit shared in a reflective tone.
"To leave him out seems like an absolute tragedy for everyone, but you look at what he's replacing him with and we’ve got an amazing stock in quite a few positions,"
Smit added, highlighting the depth in the squad. With Lood de Jager stepping in and RG Snyman taking a spot on the bench, the team isn't exactly left wanting in terms of talent and grit.Concerns over team morale and potential internal conflicts with such decisions are always a topic of discussion, but Smit reassures that there's a universal understanding within the squad. "You talk about whether or not that would cause uproar within the team, I think the team has learned very, very quickly in this last six-year period that the jersey doesn’t belong to anyone and they’ve got to work for it every week," he elucidated, shedding light on the competitive spirit that Erasmus has cultivated among his players.
The conversation Smit had with Jesse Kriel, who has occasionally captained the side, underscored this ethos. "I was sitting with Jesse a couple of weeks ago and even he’s worried about whether he’s going to make the team for the weekend," Smit recalled, pointing out the high stakes and the high standards set by the coaching staff.
"That’s the one thing I really enjoy. You don’t really see a Springboks team just lie down and die, or become complacent, this group keeps on working really hard every game,"
Smit concluded, his words a testament to the relentless drive and resilience of the current squad, proving that while the exclusion of a player like Etzebeth might sting, it's all part of a larger, strategic play that keeps the Springboks competitive on the world stage.