Juan called up to replace Matfield

WITH his career seemingly at an end, the last time Juan Smith touched the Springbok jersey he was effectively handing over the baton.

Springbok captain Jean de Villiers, however, saw in his injury ravaged former teammate a yearning to keep one for himself.

“I remember him handing over the jerseys in Nelspruit last year and you could just see the determination in his mind,” De Villiers said yesterday after Smith was called up to the Bok squad as replacement for the injured Victor Matfield.

“He felt that he still had a lot to give and it was still unfinished business for him although the majority of the people wrote him off and said he would never play again.

“To see the way he has come through and the rugby he was playing for Toulon is great. To have him back is going to be just unbelievable. A great player, a great person as well, and I think a great story to tell.”

That story, the resurrection of Smith’s career, has been one of biblical proportions. It was so even before Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer named him as lock and loose forward cover for next week’s opening Rugby Championships test against Argentina at Loftus.

Smith’s return has been nothing short of remarkable after Toulon threw him the lifeline of a 10-month contract last year.

Following an effective 30month break from the game he has repaid their faith by playing a leading hand in their ascent to the Top14 and Heineken Cup crowns last season.

He ruptured his achilles tendon at the start of 2011 and although he fought back to play his last test in the quarterfinal of the World Cup, resultant injuries meant he had to stop and seek more medical intervention at the start of last year.

He did not just make a return to the playing surface, he held down a regular place in the Toulon team. POTENT centre Tim Whitehead says the EP Kings will have to be on their toes when they face Western Province’s dynamic attack in a Currie Cup Premier Division clash tomorrow (kick-off 7.10pm).

Whitehead, who played for Western Province, Stormers and the Sharks, singled out visiting skipper Juan de Jongh and fullback Cheslin Kolbe as special dangers for the home defence at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

“I know Juan and he is a good friend and I rate him very highly and he has good feet and a very good hand off and a good brain,” Whitehead said.

“Juan enjoys attack and as soon as he gets a chance he will light up and have a crack so we