Why Springboks must start Kwagga Smith in World Cup final

 

COMMENT: Why Springboks must start Kwagga Smith in World Cup final

Kwagga Smith’s moniker “Wrong Turn” on social media is among the more regrettable ones for a Springbok rugby player, given how frequently the loose forward has suffered nose fractures.

The 30-year-old former Lions stalwart, who now represents the Japanese side Yamaha Jubilo, has been one of the underappreciated players in the Boks’ march to Saturday’s Rugby World Cup title match against the All Blacks at Stade de France (9 p.m. kickoff), despite the sometimes negative comments on social media. Smith has played an important role in the “Bomb Squad” for the last seven weeks, and he has made some noteworthy contributions.

He was at it again in last Saturday’s thrilling 16-15 semi-final triumph over England. Coming on in the 50th minute for No 8 Duane Vermeulen, Smith brought the necessary spark that had been missing in the Bok pack up to that point.

His work-rate on and off the ball makes a tangible difference. He takes the ball up with ferocity, hunts down opposition ball-carriers, times his breakdown raids perfectly and puts his head into dark place on the pitch.

And it is all those attributes that the defending champions will need in spades against the All Blacks on Saturday.

It won’t be as rough and tumble as the England semifinal. Bringing their outside backs and loose forwards into the game, New Zealand will want to stretch the defense and run the Boks off their feet in the first quarter.

In order to defeat the All Blacks’ fast-paced style of play, Smith is the sniper you need, even while veteran warrior Vermeulen is the canon you bring to an attrition-based match.
The Boks cannot afford to start the match against New Zealand as sluggishly as they did against England; if they do, the match might already be over at halftime.

All night, Smith’s task will be to pursue All Black scrumhalf Aaron Smith and bully him into errors in order to throw off their attacking rhythm.

Additionally, because he takes unique running routes and is difficult to contain, he will bring genuine punch to the Bok attack with his pace across the ground when taking the ball up.

Siya Kolisi, the captain, and Pieter-Steph du Toit, the blindside winger, will be able to produce big hits and carries in close quarters for the Boks, but they will need Smith’s speed to contain players like Ardie Savea, Richie Mo’unga, Mark Tele’a, and Rieko Ioane.

Furthermore, Smith must play for longer than 30 minutes at full speed for the South Africans. He can easily run like the “Energizer bunny” for 60 minutes because of his massive engine.

Vermeulen, Deon Fourie, and even Marco van Staden can then be introduced by Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber off the bench for a furious final quarter of intense warfare.

With 39 Test caps under his belt, Smith was unlucky to be sent off for taking out David Havili in midair during the first half of the Lions’ 2017 Super Rugby final at Ellis Park against the Crusaders. The Johannesburg team ultimately lost 25-17.

Smith has the chance to redeem himself for that incident by leading the Springboks to victory in a World Cup final, so making a “right turn.”

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