The leader of the Stormers, Schalk Burger, is the right man to take over the captaincy of the Springboks.

Sport24

This was John Smit’s message at the official opening of the Saracens Field of Dreams in Kayamandi on Monday when asked who was best suited to succeed him in the role.

“I have been involved in talks about my successor since 2008,” Smit said. “There might be a young player who performs well and is awarded the captaincy, but my money is on Schalk.

“He has the most experience and is the one who commands the most respect among the Boks,” he said. “It will be the smoothest transition.”

“He is a hard worker, tough as nails and he understands people.”

Smit added the appointment of the new captain will also depend on the new Springbok coach.

“It depends on the sort of leader he wants,” Smit said. “He may want to do something different with the Boks.”

Smit, however, declined to comment about the appointment of the new Springbok coach.

“I’m sure the decision has been made already,” he said.

“The South African Rugby Union (SARU) were smart in not making the announcement yet as they have been criticised for impulsive decisions in the past.”

14 Responses to John Smit punts Schalla for Bokke skipper

  • 1

    Eish, dont get me wrong, I love Schalk Burger, I do not however think he should be captain, I would rather go for someone like Juan Smith from the cheaters, but then again I do feel both he and Schalk are a bit long in the tooth.

    I think we should identify a younger player that can do the miles with the boks, I know not too young as you have to garner a certain amount of respect from all the players, senior players included, we do not want another Graeme Smith situation hehehehe

    Actually this is a very difficult decision to make!!!

  • 2

    1 @ Tripples:
    Difficult hey, to choose, I mean!

    Who are the logical candidates, who WILL certainly hold a starting berth and who could lead for a while at least?

    Bismarck du Plessis
    Jannie du Plessis
    Heinrich Brussow
    Schalk Burger
    Juan Smith
    Josh Strauss
    Pierre Spies

    That’s about it…

    The problem is Heinrich Brussow is injury prone. Schalla is not sure of a starting spot at No 6 (Brussow leading the way there), neither at No 7 (Juan Smith, Willem Alberts & Josh Strauss the serious contenders) and neither at No 8 (Spies, Duane Vermeulen, Ashley Johnson giving it horns there).

    Juan Smith has the same problem as Schalk with the same contenders but also the same problem as Brussow with injuries mounting at a rate of knots.

    Spies’ position at No 8 is not certain (well it should not be) and we do not yet know how functional he’ll be as captain, whereas Josh Strauss has not even worn the Bokke jersey and is by no means an automatic Bok either.

    So, back to square ONE.

    I would wait with all the speculation to see which of the 5 Franchise captains really come to the fore this Super Rugby series… I have a faint suspision that Josh Strauss wil emerge even stronger and that he has the necessary leadership qualities.

    I’d like to see Bissie goes as captain at the Sharks, not that it is at all likely that he’ll be the Sharks cappie.

    Hope Brussow & Juan Smith are over their injuries for good.

    Hoe sê hulle… OSSAMASIEN !

  • 3

    ooooh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, would never choose Jannie as Bok Cappie!!!!!!!! Now there is a hot head on those shoulders!!!!

  • 4

    juan vir die volgende twee jaar en laat dan iemand soos josh of bismark oor vat na 2015 toe

  • 5

    4 @ smallies72:
    Ek stem saam met jou, maar met een proviso.

    Ons MOET eers kyk of Juan se beserings iets van die verlede is.. en daarvoor het ons ‘n bleddie groot deel van die Super Rugby reeks nodig.

    Waarom die haas anyway om nou reeds ‘n kaptein te benoem?

    Die afrigter (belangriker) moet nou eers benoem word, homself en sy assistente behoorlik ingrawe, fyn beplanning doen… en dan hier so naby Mei rond kan hulle aan kapteins dink….

  • 6

    ag fok, waarvoor allie bespiegeling?
    jp duminy vi kaptein … daais nou as ek afrigter was. easy peasy!! Woodstock

  • 7

    @ Smallies & GBS,

    Agree with Juan as cappie, providin he is over his injury, and we certainly need him to be. Ditto for Brussow

  • 8

    dont know about scalla … he’s made a few shocking decisions in the finals wp/stormers have been in! i for one would love to see juan get the captaincy!!

  • 9

    Habana?

  • 11

    Only joking! I feel the old adage – new broom sweeps clean – is very appropriate here, and would also like to see Josh as a serious contender. I also believe that he will get stronger over the season, make the position his own, and make it easy for the incumbent coach to pick him when the time comes. I think it also solves Tripples “Smith” problem. He also has no baggage, absolute passion for the game, natural leadership skills and a good head on his shoulders. I think he would certainly command a better respect from the ref’s, something which will be a disaster area if SB is chosen. We could certainly do a lot worse than choosing Josh Straus!

  • 12

    11 @ Just For Kicks:
    Very clear thinking for a Stormers supporter… wow!

    You never cease to amaze…. hahahahaha

  • 13

    @ grootblousmile:Thank you Sir, how gracious!

  • 14

    6@ Ashley:
    Because they’ve nothing better to do perhaps… didn’t know JP Duminy has taken up rugby is this since his ommision from the test team or were you meaning JP Peterson Thinking

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