Adre Smith, the towering lock for the Stormers, is eyeing the illustrious Springbok jersey as he fires up his engines in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. On the brink of celebrating his 50th cap for the Cape Town squad—if he runs out against the Ospreys—Smith's recent stint in the season opener against Leinster saw him dominate the lineouts and bulldoze through the field as a formidable ball carrier.
After a soul-searching sabbatical with Toyota Verblitz in Japan, Smith has returned with a fierce determination to secure a regular starting position, which he believes is crucial to donning the green and gold. He candidly shared,
"Being away in Japan just made me realize I need to work harder when I get back. I’ve got no problems making an impact from the bench, but to achieve my dreams, I need more starts."
He added that warming the bench isn't part of his plan if he's to reach his ultimate goal.
Smith's sojourn in Japan wasn't just a break but a transformative experience, enhancing his skills under the guidance of local coaches. He reflected on the cultural and tactical shifts, noting,
"The coaches there taught me a very valuable lesson. They said South Africans are by nature physical, so I don’t have to spend extra time working on being physical. I need to learn the more non-physical stuff which I can add to my physicality."
This new approach has evidently paid dividends, leading to more line-breaks and a more nuanced game.
The Stormers are riding high after their recent 35-0 thrashing of the defending champions, and the mood in the camp is buoyant as they prepare to face the Ospreys. The return of frontline players like Oli Kebble, Sazi Sandi, and Deon Fourie, who is set to make his centurion appearance, only strengthens their lineup. With the team's scrum prowess already recognized and players on Springbok standby, coach John Dobson has plenty of reasons to keep smiling.
The Stormers' next challenge at the Cape Town Stadium promises to be a spectacle, with Smith's personal ambitions adding an extra layer of intrigue to the clash. As the URC season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether this lock can unlock his full potential and secure his spot among rugby's elite.
2,193 posts
Adre Smith, the towering lock for the Stormers, is eyeing the illustrious Springbok jersey as he fires up his engines in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. On the brink of celebrating his 50th cap for the Cape Town squad—if he runs out against the Ospreys—Smith's recent stint in the season opener against Leinster saw him dominate the lineouts and bulldoze through the field as a formidable ball carrier.
After a soul-searching sabbatical with Toyota Verblitz in Japan, Smith has returned with a fierce determination to secure a regular starting position, which he believes is crucial to donning the green and gold. He candidly shared,
"Being away in Japan just made me realize I need to work harder when I get back. I’ve got no problems making an impact from the bench, but to achieve my dreams, I need more starts."
He added that warming the bench isn't part of his plan if he's to reach his ultimate goal.Smith's sojourn in Japan wasn't just a break but a transformative experience, enhancing his skills under the guidance of local coaches. He reflected on the cultural and tactical shifts, noting,
"The coaches there taught me a very valuable lesson. They said South Africans are by nature physical, so I don’t have to spend extra time working on being physical. I need to learn the more non-physical stuff which I can add to my physicality."
This new approach has evidently paid dividends, leading to more line-breaks and a more nuanced game.The Stormers are riding high after their recent 35-0 thrashing of the defending champions, and the mood in the camp is buoyant as they prepare to face the Ospreys. The return of frontline players like Oli Kebble, Sazi Sandi, and Deon Fourie, who is set to make his centurion appearance, only strengthens their lineup. With the team's scrum prowess already recognized and players on Springbok standby, coach John Dobson has plenty of reasons to keep smiling.
The Stormers' next challenge at the Cape Town Stadium promises to be a spectacle, with Smith's personal ambitions adding an extra layer of intrigue to the clash. As the URC season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether this lock can unlock his full potential and secure his spot among rugby's elite.