Inspirational Juan breaks through the grief barrier

Despite his protestations, Juan Smith has become arguably the most inspirational rugby captain in the world. With him back at the Cheetahs helm, they have been transformed from whipping boys to the talk of the town.

First they picked up a draw in Smith's first game back, against the Chiefs in Hamilton, then followed that with bonus-point wins over the Blues and the Force.

At the start of the season, with Smith captaining, the Cheetahs pulled off sensational wins over the Sharks and the Hurricanes. The signs were looking good.

But tragedy struck. Hours before the Cheetahs were due to play the Reds in Bloemfontein, Smith had to pull out of the team to be at the bedside of his gravely ill father, Giel.

The Cheetahs lost four games in a row (against the Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and Crusaders) while Smith was absent, through injury and having to be with his father. They looked destined for another woeful season.

He rejoined his teammates on their tour of Australasia but his father's condition deteriorated and he had to return to South Africa.

While his father was dying, the Cheetahs sent Smith an SOS: "The team needs you". He answered the call because his dad was his idol and he knew no better way of honouring him.

"Losing my dad was very tough. He lived for rugby, he lived for my rugby and going back to play was my last gift to him," Smith says.

So two weeks after burying his hero, Smith flew to New Zealand. The Cheetahs were transformed and they ground out a plucky 25-25 draw against last year's finalists, the Chiefs.

Returning to SA, the Cheetahs scored five tries against the Blues, effectively ending their Super 14 semifinal hopes, then thrashed the Force.

Smith, 29, is a reluctant hero who does not consider himself a born leader. He was made captain by Rassie Erasmus in 2005 and the Cheetahs were the first team he captained.

"At school, at JBM Hertzog in Bloemfontein, I was only the vice-captain," he says.

His quiet, unassuming leadership is exemplified by action rather than words. When he talks about leadership, he is self-deprecating.

"This is a team sport, there are 14 other guys, so it can't only be me," he says.

"I guess if a senior player with so much experience returns, a team will feed off that confidence, but I am only a small part in this recent success."

Smith's modesty belies the fact that he has been playing some of his best rugby and his contribution on the field has been colossal.

Says Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske: "Juan is a world-class player and he has a lot of respect within the team. All the players look up to him, they seem to perform so much better when he is playing."

Drotske believes one reason for Smith's strong performances is this season's rule changes. "The referees seem to be relaxing more and more and there will always be a place for a guy like Heinrich Brussow.

"That said, the current rules are great for a player like Juan. He is a fantastic ball-carrier and his offensive defence is of the best in the world," Drotske says.

Up-and-coming Cheetahs lock Walti Vermuelen is a Smith fan.

"Juan leads by example," says Vermuelen, who was on his first overseas tour this year.

"He doesn't mince his words, he tells you directly what he wants from you and he never breaks you down.

"On game day, his presence makes you feel more comfortable. He makes you perform better than you thought you could."

Smith, a World Cup-winning Bok, has some encouragement for his soccer compatriots.

"I was part of the 2007 World Cup and I saw first-hand what sport means to a country like ours.

"We are going through negative stuff, like crime, but sport will again unite our country. I also know when the big games come up, Bafana will pitch up, and I will be there to see them do the business against France (in Bloemfontein)."

Smith, who loves gospel music and farming, is as uncomplicated off the field as he is when bashing through defenders.

While fiercely loyal to the Cheetahs, he concedes that next year may be his last for them.

"It's not just about loyalty, I guess. This is my job and I love it here. The Cheetahs have been good to me, but I need to support my wife and child and I may be moving to one of the bigger provinces next season.

"I don't want to say which one as I am still negotiating with the Cheetahs. If they offer me what the Stormers, Lions, Bulls or Sharks will, then I will stay," he says.

His loss will be keenly felt, but the memories of Smith will linger forever. His father would be proud of this reluctant hero.