The International Rugby Players Special Merit Award Goes to John Smit

Photo Credit: World Rugby

John Smit was honoured by World Rugby with the International Rugby Players Special Merit Award over the weekend, for his continued contribution to the sport.

Global (30 October 2023) – The Rugby World Cup is over and now the World Rugby Awards too. John Smit was honoured at the awards and given a Special Merit Award at the event.

The awards were presented at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on Sunday, 29 October. Fans around the world that missed it, can watch it for free on RugbyPass TV.

Other South African favourites at the awards included the winning Springbok team, Bryan Habana – who was conducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame and of course, Mr John Smit – one of South Africa’s world cup winning captains.

“South Africa’s Rugby World Cup 2007-winning captain John Smit achieved it all on the pitch, playing 111 tests for the Springboks and leading the side out in 83 of them. However, his impact has been just as significant off the pitch, serving as a director of MyPlayers, the South African Rugby Players’ Organisation, from 2018-22 and taking the players’ secondment to SA Rugby’s Executive Council in a period that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges that brought. He is currently the CEO of the South African Rugby Legends Association, dedicating his time to their work developing grassroots rugby and supporting the needs of retired players in South Africa. He also finds the time to work as a pundit for SuperSport.” – World Rugby

In a bit of fun, World Rugby made a “dream team” adding some of the best International players to what they would call the ultimate rugby team and Eben Etzebeth earned a nod. Here is what that team looks like: