Hurricanes team-mates are hoping to produce a win for Smith's 100th match © Getty Images

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Conrad Smith will become the sixth player to cap 100 appearances for the capital club. Although 100 caps are becoming commonplace in Super Rugby, Smith is one of few players to achieve the milestone with just the one team.

The 32-year-old made his Super Rugby debut in 2004 and will bring up the milestone for the Hurricanes when he leads his side against the South African Cheetahs in a must-win clash on Saturday.

Approached several times to move clubs throughout his career, Smith said he has never had any intention of quitting the club. "No, not really," Smith told reporters when asked if he had ever considered leaving. "Never another franchise in New Zealand, maybe once or twice overseas but that was never more than a thought. I've loved every season with this team."

Smith will join the ranks of loose forward Rodney So'oialo and prop Neemia Tialata - the only men to have played their entire Super Rugby careers in New Zealand's capital - centres Tana Umaga, Ma'a Nonu and Andrew Hore.

"It's pretty special. It kind of crept up on me during the off-season and then as it has come closer it's not something you think about a lot," said Smith. "The last few days it has become a reality and you get a lot of nice things said ... as it's getting closer it's getting more emotional."

After witnessing Smith grow both physically and mentally, fellow team-mate Tana Umaga was quick to praise the world-class centre. First witnessing Smith in club rugby, Umaga was one of the first players to underestimate his skill but soon witnessed the courage that makes Smith one of the best.

''I've seen him grow from 80kg, wringing wet, to whatever he is now, 90kg, maybe a bit more. He's had question marks through his career on his size and ability, his speed, but it's his speed of intelligence that makes him so good." Umaga told Fairfax Media.

''Conrad gets to places quicker than others because he just sees the game a lot faster than others. That's unique to him and it was always good to have conversations with him as a player and see someone who has a love of the game and who is so competitive."

Currently sitting on an eight-loss losing streak that extends back to last season, many of Smith's team-mates spoke of getting their campaign back on track with a victory dedicated to their captain.

"I don't want it to be about me," Smith said. "I think there are other things that are motivating the team. We understand we let ourselves down and that's the main motivating factor this week.

"It's a long season. It's how easy we can turn it around. We are determined this week but we're playing a good side who are difficult to defend against and have shown they can travel."