Get Newsletter

VIDEO: Can Kwagga be the Brüssow of 2021?

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok loose forward Albertus Smith has been trying to raise his game to try and emulate one of his role models.

ADVERTISEMENT

Going back to 2009, openside flank Heinrich Brüssow was a key player in South Africa’s 2-1 series success over the British and Irish Lions.

Brussow, who was 22 at the time, started in the Boks’ 26-21 victory in the first Test and then he made a huge impact off the bench in the second Test, which the Boks won 28-25 to clinch the series.

In the third Test, Brüssow started in the No.6 jersey again in Bok team featuring a number of changes from the first two Tests. The Boks went down 9-28.

“I watched those games when I was still in high school,” said Smith.

(Article continues below video …)

Video Spacer

“I really looked up to him [Brüssow] and he performed really well in that Lions series. He is one of my role models.

“I’m trying to get up to his standards and play well, but also I am a player in my own right and a bit different.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’m a combination of everything, so I will definitely try to be an asset to the team.

“If I get the opportunity to play, I will do my best to contribute to the team, so we can be successful together.”

Smith plays in the No.8 jersey for Japanese club side Yamaha Júbilo, but he says he is more than happy to play anywhere in the back row for the Springboks.

“I played No.8 the whole season in Japan, so that helped me a lot with my game in that position.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’ve also played at six and seven in the World Cup and I played six against New Zealand in a Rugby Championship game, so I played all those positions.”

He added: “I will just be fortunate if I get an opportunity to play in any one of those positions and I will do my best to fill those shoes

“I’m really working hard on all the basics to make sure that when an opportunity comes, I will be ready.”

@rugby365com

Join free

Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Edinburgh vs Glasgow | Celtic Challenge 2024/25 | Match Highlights

Boks Office | Episode 31 | Investec Champions Cup Review

Global Schools Challenge | Day 2 Replay

The Backyard Bunch | The USA's Belmont Shore

AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

South Africa v France | HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Men's Final Match Highlights

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

Write A Comment