Smit's second hurrah

John Smit will become the second player in history to captain his team in defence of the Rugby World Cup after being confirmed yesterday as the Springbok skipper for the 2011 tournament in New Zealand.

Bok coach Peter de Villiers also announced that lock Victor Matfield would be vice-captain.

There were two new additions to the Springbok management, with 2007 conditioning coach Derik Coetzee and Stormers director of rugby Rassie Erasmus contracted until the end of the World Cup.

Erasmus will act as technical consultant to the team - a role he fulfilled for a month in 2007 before taking on the Stormers' job.

Only Australia's Michael Lynagh, who led Australia when they won the World Cup in 1991, and unsuccessfully tried to defend it in 1995, has led the team as a winning captain in consecutive World Cups.

Coach Peter de Villiers made the announcement to end continuing speculation about the status of the Springbok leadership.

"The captaincy was never an issue for me, as it is an issue for you guys (the media)," De Villiers said.

"Having John as captain and Victor as his vice-captain gives us the luxury of knowing that we have a wealth of experience on the field and some great decision-makers in the squad.

"I feel comfortable and safe with these two guys as my leaders and I will take on the world with them."

Smit admitted he occasionally doubted he would lead the side at the coming World Cup: "It's been quite a roller-coaster ride for me in the past four years," Smit said. "Before 2007, I had already signed to go to France, thinking it would be my last hurrah for the Boks.

"But I got a second chance with the Boks in 2008 and it has been an amazing ride since then, from the highs of 2009 to the lows of hurting so much in 2010. But those experiences made me more determined to get to the World Cup this year.

"There were times in the past four years when I questioned whether going to the World Cup again would be possible. It hasn't become a reality yet, but I'm a step closer even though there is a lot of rugby to played between now and then."

Smit also expressed excitement at the appointment of Coetzee and Erasmus. The Springboks were criticised for lacking conditioning in 2010 and Coetzee's appointment appears to be a tacit acknowledgement that this area of their game must improve.

"I know both of them very well; they will give us an injection of energy and some new ideas in their respective fields," Smit said.

"Derik chased us around for four years and he will do the same this time round. Great conditioning will be vital to success at the World Cup. There will be times when I'll regret Prof Derik is part of management but it's hard work that counts.

"From a technical perspective Rassie's input is sublime. He is a man who measures all the tiny details and makes an impact."