As Eben Etzebeth prepares to make his 100th Test appearance, SARugbymag.co.za takes a look back at the Springbok centurions who have come before him.

Some players are born to lead and others to follow. John Smit was certainly the former.

Together with coach Jake White, Smit’s quiet diplomacy helped the Boks build a reputation as one of the most feared teams than at any time since winning the World Cup in 1995.

Smit is not only the fourth most-capped Springbok of all time (111) but also holds the record for the most matches as Bok captain (83). He made his Test debut against Canada in 2000 and appeared in a record 46 consecutive Tests between 2003 and 2007. He led the Boks to World Cup glory in 2007 and victory over the British & Irish Lions in 2009.

His 100th Test cap came in a heart-breaking late defeat by the All Blacks at Soccer City in 2010.

Smit played most of his senior career as a hooker, but also won 13 Test caps as a prop, where he had first represented the SA U21s. His value as a leader was such that he was favoured ahead of Bismarck du Plessis, even shifting to tighthead prop to accommodate the younger rake.

After retiring in 2013 he took over as Sharks CEO from 2013 to 2016. He was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame on 24 October 2011 and in April 2018, was elected to the board of SA Rugby as the players’ representative.

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Photo: Wessel Oosthuizen/Gallo Images