John Smit: From Iconic Springbok Captain to Successful Businessman
Smit’s illustrious career saw him feature for the Springboks on 111 occasions, placing him fifth on the all-time list. His leadership led the Springboks to two Tri-Nations titles and a series win over the renowned British & Irish Lions in 2009.
On the domestic front, Smit spent the majority of his professional career with the Sharks, amassing nearly 200 appearances across all competitions. His leadership was a constant for the Sharks, guiding them to the finals of both the 2001 Super Bowl and the 2007 Super Bowl.
After a brief stint with Clermont in France, Smit wound down his career with Saracens in England. Following his retirement in 2013, Smit transitioned into a successful businessman. He served as Sharks CEO from 2013 to 2016 and was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011. In April 2018, he was elected to the board of SA Rugby as a players’ representative.
Smit currently serves as the Group CEO at SSG Holdings, a company that provides security, facilities management, and cleaning solutions to the South African market. He joined SSG in February 2019, bringing substantial corporate experience and a ‘winning team’ approach to the group of companies.
Recently, Smit led the launch of Avante, a proudly Cape-made VSOP brandy. He also played a key role in handpicking 14 other initial investors who are past and present international rugby stars. Smit is also well-known as a broadcast analyst for SuperSport and is a popular and sought-after guest speaker at various events.
Smit is passionate about philanthropy and is involved in ‘Barney’s Army’, the affectionate name given to the John Smit Foundation, an organization dedicated to aiding those in need.
On a personal note, Smit has been married to his wife Roxanne for nearly 20 years, and they have three children. His Instagram bio reads: “Used to play some rugby and now raising my three beautiful kids with my amazing wife!!!”.