An Article from Gavin Rich as seen on superrugby.co.za

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and South African fans were not the only people on Tuesday doffing their caps in appreciation of John Smit — so were the All Blacks.

Smit was selected for his record-breaking 60th cap as an international captain — he has played 85 games for the Boks in all — and although the Bok skipper tried to play it down, the coach’s of both his own team and his immediate opponents were quite happy to make a big deal about it.

“We have huge respect for John Smit and from an All Black side I would like to acknowledge what a massive achievement it is to play 60 matches as your country’s captain,” said All Black coach Graham Henry.

“John has been a very successful captain for South Africa. We all know about what he did in leading the team to a World Cup victory in 2007, something we in New Zealand are still aggrieved about,” he laughed.

“On top of all of that, he is a really good bloke, a real top man, and I can completely understand why the Springbok players follow him like they do. I would like to congratulate him on his achievement on behalf of the All Black camp.”

De Villiers pointed to the same attributes that saw Jake White annoint Smit as the team leader not long after he took over the Bok squad in early 2004.

“When you ask the question about what qualities he has you should really be asking what qualities he does not have, for he has so many,” said De Villiers.

“He plays such a massive role for us, and above all I think it is something that you don’t see a lot of, he is a real ambassador for his country, and a guy who makes everyone feel at home. Breaking this record could not have happened to a nicer person, John is a real legend.”

Smit said that he would prefer to talk about the achievement after Saturday.

“I haven’t broken any records until I run out of the tunnel in front of the team at Absa Stadium on Saturday,” he said.

“But yes, it has been a huge honour and privilege to be involved with the Boks, and I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of it all. We have the task of beating the All Blacks on Saturday though and that is what we are focusing on.”

Smit said his men were expecting the All Blacks to be a much tougher proposition than they were last week, when the Boks won 28-19 in Bloemfontein.

“As hard as last week’s game was, we have always believed that this one will be a lot tougher,” he said.

“They do not have to contend this time with the debilitating aspects of their short turnaround between Auckland and Bloemfontein. They have had two extra days to prepare this week and that means they will be much better prepared, and they have also had a better chance to analyse us and more time to work out what they need to do.”

The coaching staff off the All Blacks made two changes for the test in Durban.

15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Afoa, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Luke McAlister, 22 Cory Jane.

Steyn to start at flyhalf
Durban – Springbok coach Peter de Villiers made three changes to the match 22 that beat the All Blacks by 28-19 in Bloemfontein last weekend – one in the starting XV and two on the bench – for Saturday’s second Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand at the Absa Stadium in Durban.

At flyhalf, Morné Steyn starts ahead of Ruan Pienaar, who is injured. Lock Andries Bekker returns in the place of loose forward Ryan Kankowski on the bench, along with fit-again centre Adi Jacobs, who takes Morné Steyn’s place amongst the reserves.

Springbok wing Bryan Habana and centre Jean de Villiers will both earn their 50th Test caps for South Africa, while Bok captain John Smit becomes the sole record-holder for the most experienced Test captain ever.

Habana, the International Rugby Board’s Player of the Year for 2007 and SA Rugby’s Player of the Year in 2005 and 2007, made his Springbok debut as a replacement against England on November 20, 2004 at Twickenham. With 33 Test tries he is second behind Joost van der Westhuizen on the list of top try scorers for South Africa.

De Villiers, SA Rugby’s Player of the Year for 2008, made his Springbok debut on November 9, 2002 in Marseilles against France. Because of injury he only played his second Test against the Pacific Islands in Gosford on July 17, 2004. Of his 49 Tests to date, De Villiers has played 11 on the wing and 38 at centre. He will equal De Wet Barry’s record for Bok Tests at centre this weekend, with 39.

Smit will lead the Boks for the 60th time in his 86th Test. Last weekend he equaled the record previously held by Wallaby skipper George Gregan and England’s Will Carling.

The Springbok team is (Test caps in brackets):
15. Frans Steyn (31)
14. JP Pietersen (27)
13. Jaque Fourie (46)
12. Jean de Villiers (49)
11. Bryan Habana (49)
10. Morné Steyn (4)
9. Fourie du Preez (47)
8. Pierre Spies (23)
7. Juan Smith (58)
6. Heinrich Brüssow (5)
5. Victor Matfield (84)
4. Bakkies Botha (58)
3. John Smit (85) – Captain
2. Bismarck du Plessis (25)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (14)

Reserves:

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (5)
17. Jannie du Plessis (8)
18. Andries Bekker (15)
19. Danie Rossouw (39)
20. Ricky Januarie (36)
21. Adi Jacobs (23)
22. Wynand Olivier (23)

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The big question in SA rugby at the moment. Do you change the winning formula shown by the Springboks this weekend where Ruan Pienaar missed to many penalties at test level standard or do you give the standout Flyhalf of the S14 Morne Steyn his first start against the All Blacks.