The ‘big men’ of the field

When de-colonisation was sweeping across Africa, the leaders that took charge of the newly created democracies on this continent were often given the title of “Big Men”. It describes those individuals who were directly responsible for their countries’ liberation, and then took control with an unyielding fist.

Examples include Kenya’s Daniel Arap Moi, former Zaire’s Mobutu Sese Seko, Libya’s Moammar Gaddafi and Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe. As the sands of time trickle away, these figures have either been pushed from power, died, or are still in charge, with the longevity of Gaddafi and Mugabe a testament to this.

While the combined effect these men had on their countries and as a collective on the African continent was more detrimental than positive, South African sport has similar characters.

On the administrative side you can point to Leonard Chuene, Irvin Khoza, Gerald Majola and Oregan Hoskins, since these are the men charged with administering the passion of South Africa’s sporting public. On the field, however, there are two people whose presence adds 20% to the performances of the sides they each respectively lead.

The most influential would be John William Smit, but South Africans might as well just say “John”. As Springbok captain, cure to cancer and the answer to world peace, he has dedicated himself remorselessly to the Springbok cause since making his debut on June 10^th, 2000. He has won the World Cup and Currie Cup, and would’ve had a Super 14 crown to add to that collection were it not for Frans Steyn suffering a mental meltdown in keeping the ball in field during the 2007 Super 14 final only to let Bryan Habana soar over the tryline as the play ensued.

A fine example of why his leadership is perhaps more highly valued then his playing skills (which are considerable) would be the 2007 World Cup semi-final against Tonga, where the Boks were dangerously close to losing the plot after Jake White fielded a second-string side, and it was only after the introduction of Smit plus other A-list players such as Bryan Habana and Percy Montgomery that the Boks were able to avoid suffering one of the biggest upsets in rugby history.

He then eventually went on to lift the Web Ellis Trophy, guaranteeing his place in SA’s sporting history. Now, circa 2009, he led the Springboks to an irrepressible Tri-Nations triumph and series victory over the British and Irish Lions. In between all this, he switched from South Africa’s No 2 to tighthead prop to accommodate the human juggernaut Bismarck du Plessis. A legend of the game, humble and a role model, Smit epitomises everything that is good about South African rugby.

On the cricketing side, Graeme Smith might not have the silverware that his rugby counterpart has earned, but since making his debut against Australia in 2002 and being appointed as captain at 22 after the disastrous 2003 World Cup, he has changed markedly. Once a fire-brand captain who tried to absorb the pressure on this side, Smith has matured into one of South Africa’s finest leaders and opening batsmen since re-admission in 1991.

His finest moment came when he scored 154 not out to win the Edgbaston Test and therefore the Test series against England last year was one of the greatest knocks ever, single-handedly breaking a three decade hoodoo. He was also the man at the helm when South Africa beat Australia in Australia for the first time ever. He served up another iconic moment when he walked out to bat in the third and final Test with a broken hand even though the series was won.

His importance as the helmsman and as the man who faces the first ball epitomises the team that he has played a large part in turning into one of the most formidable teams South Africa has ever fielded, and certainly the best since re-admission.

The value these two men bring to their respective arts cannot be measured in any fashion, with only the crude barometer of success, caps and runs scored doing anything remotely close to justice. At 32 Smit is slowly approaching the end of the line that will see him retire most likely after the 2011 World Cup. Cricket’s own 2011 World Cup will also be interesting to see if Smith will still remain captain, because if he still has the fire for the job, there aren’t any better candidates than the man from Johannesburg.