Smit aims to tick remaining box
'Fire in the belly': John Smit
Springbok captain John Smit is in positive mood regarding the world champions' chances of recording their first win on New Zealand soil in ten years when the teams kick-off the Tri-Nations in Wellington on Saturday.
The last time South Africa got the better of their arch rivals in New Zealand was a hard fought 13-3 win over the All Blacks at Athletic Park in 1998.
The only player on the field that day to still be playing international rugby is veteran full-back Percy Montgomery, who will be on the Springbok bench this weekend.
Following the Springboks' win in the World Cup last year, Smit says it's high time they add the missing feather to their cap, openly admitting that having never won in New Zealand is one of the biggest frustrations of his career.
"We have been coming out for quite a few years wanting to win. It is a burning desire, purely because it has been so long," Smit said.
"So it certainly does put some fire in the belly. It is a box that hasn't been ticked. There have been opportunities before this one, where we have had some close games and been pipped right at the end and been heart-broken.
"We have two opportunities now, because we play the All Blacks back-to-back. We have come here as motivated now as we have been over the last 10 years.
"It is not an easy venue to get test victories, we certainly are aware of the challenge that lies ahead. But we come here motivated to try and change the tide.
"I think the majority of the guys have come a long way together over the last four or five years, but we just have never been able to pip one over here.
One of those players to have come a long way is Montgomery, whose experience is priceless to the Springbok camp.
"He has to do the team talk this week," Smit joked.
"He is the only guy who has any experience in it (beating the All Blacks in New Zealand)."
At the same time Smit was eager to set the record straight after former Springbok captain Corne Krige questioned the credentials of All Blacks skipper Rodney So'oialo.
Krige has came out saying that as a specialist number eight, So'oialo is not the right man to cover for the injured Richie McCaw on the openside flank and lacked the captaincy skills for such a big occasion.
Smit slammed Krige's comments, saying they had "no validity".
"I can't see how much Corne has had to do with Rodney," Smit said.
"We seem to have a company in South Africa called Rent-a-Quote and Corne is at the top of the list at the moment. I know Rodney personally and I have played against him for many years. He might not be as talkative, but he is certainly as active on the field. And I think that is what counts the most as captain."
Springbok openside flanker Schalk Burger also believes that his opposite number on Saturday was up to the task.
"I think he will go alright for the weekend," Burger said.
"He is an eighth-man that plays towards the ball. He has always been good on the ground and I think this weekend will be no exception. I think he is a good player and he has been in good form again this season. I am looking forward to playing against him."