WHEN SOUTH Africa’s coaches talk about “battle stats”, they often cite Kwagga Smith as a prime example. Usually deployed off the bench, his impact was a key component of the Boks’ World Cup wins in 2019 and 2023.
At France 2023, he turned over or disrupted 42% of the defensive rucks he hit – the best success rate in the competition (see panel).
A bronze medallist at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Smith owns a pecan-nut farm in Mpumalanga but is currently playing in Japan. RW caught up with him as he recovered from groin surgery…
RW: How does the standard of club rugby in Japan compare to when you first arrived in 2018?
KS: The league has improved a lot since Japan hosted the 2019 World Cup. It’s fun playing there but not as easy as everyone thinks. The number of world-class players makes the competition tough.
Japanese rugby has grown a lot since 2019. This season we’ve had five or six games with over 30,000 fans. The companies put in good money to get the right foreign players and to develop Japanese players, who benefit from playing with and against the likes of Ardie Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick, as well as all the Springboks there. You’ve made 50 appearances in
Japan over six seasons, which is a very light workload compared to many. Does that work for you?
Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Rugby World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Rugby World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
As the domestic season comes to a close, we take a look across the English pyramid to see which community clubs have tasted success
Japan's landmark
The Brave Blossoms are preparing for an historic first home Test against England. Rich Freeman explains why it means so much
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO ...BRING RUGBY TO INDIA'S STREETS
RW finds out why Kolkata kids are picking up the oval ball in Quins shirts
Anthony Brooke
Mixed ability sport might not exist but for this multiple award-winner
SCOTT ROBERTSON
The new All Blacks head coach awaits the arrival of England on tour before embarking on a first Rugby Championship. We tune into his method and mindset...
SYDNEY GREGSON
The England centre hopes Saracens can right past wrongs in the play-offs
STATE OF PLAY
Uncertain futures on the SVNS series, funding issues and the small matter of the Olympics - former captain TOM MITCHELL looks at what's going on with Team GB
MAX POWER
His jump to senior standout has impressed many in Scotland and Glasgow's MAX WILLIAMSON has shown there is a way forward
KWAGGA SMITH
The Springboks have a point to prove against Ireland, says the flanker
Nash smashes on!
A BREAKTHROUGH STAR IN THE SIX NATIONS, MUNSTER WINGER CALVIN NASH HAS DONE IT THE HARD WAY
