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Jet heeled Bok backrow Kwagga Smith snubs return to South Africa
By Online Editors
Springbok Albertus ‘Kwagga’ Smith has turned down offers from a number of South African teams and agreed to a new deal with Japan-based club Yamaha Jubilo.
According to Afrikaans newspaper Rapport, the 27-year-old had been in talks with both the Lions and Sharks but eventually opted to extend his Japanese contract by two years.
The newspaper reported that Smith will fly to Japan later this month to play for Yamaha Jubilo in training matches ahead of the Top League season.
Kwagga Smith has been plying his trade in Japan since 2018.
“I am very happy at the club,” Smith told Rapport.
“It has been a very uncertain time for the sports industry. Nobody knew what was going to happen with rugby here [in South Africa].
“However, due to the [initial chaos because of Covid-19] falling right in Japan’s off-season, you knew their Top League season would resume in December or January,”
The former Lions flank, who has played six Tests, remains eligible for Springbok selections.
“It’s a big advantage to play overseas and be granted permission to play for the Springboks,” Smith said.
“My goal is to play against the British & Irish Lions next year. It’s my big dream and I’ve placed all my focus on that. I’ll be working hard to achieve it.”
An unusually small backrow (5'11, 95kg), Smith was named in South Africa's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He played two matches, namely against Namibia and Canada in the pool stage, starting both at openside flanker.
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Latest Comments
The difference between Fassi and Le Roux?
Almost 100 tests. Fassi is growing from test to test and is already world class. It’s going to be difficult for Damian Willemse to usurp Fassi at 15 and may find himself destined as the utility back on the bomb squad.
South Africans love hating on their fullback. A proud tradition since Percy Montgomery (before he won us a World Cup). So I don’t pay much mind to the noise that follows anyone who puts on the 15 jersey for SA.
15 is a high risk, low reward position. You don’t dare drop a high ball, certainly don’t shank a kick into the stands. In fact if you’re not kicking 60m torpedoes into the opposition corners - stay at home.
And miss tackles? After everyone else on the team has let a break through - best you not miss!
Only Andre Joubert strikes me as a fullback that has been better than Willie. Yet Willie has been widely panned on a regular basis. Irritating.
Fassi is great. And I’m sure he’s learning a lot from Willie.
Go to commentsNo, Penney's win rate as a Super Rugby coach BEFORE he was given a 2 year contract here, was 23%. He came in with a very poor success rate at SR level.
This loser vibe was borne out over the SR season where we won only 4 games while losing 10. Finishing 9th in a 12 team competition & missing a QF spot was next level DOWN.
There's zero evidence that suggests we will win 10 games (70%) as you predict. I understand there may be new assistant coaches coming on board. At this stage, we can only hope for the best.
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