Scotland v South Africa
Smit happy to equal record
PA Sport
November 12, 2008
Gary Gold and John Smit during the Springboks practice session at Fettes College in Edinburgh, Scotland on November 11, 2008.
Smit and Boks assistant coach Gary Gold pictured during training in Edinburgh on Tuesday © Getty Images
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South Africa captain John Smit feels "humbled" by the prospect of equalling the record of appearances by a Springbok forward this weekend.

Coach Peter de Villiers has named an unchanged team for Saturday's Test against Scotland at Murrayfield, meaning Smit will make his 80th appearance in the Springbok jersey to pull level with the record set by Os du Randt. Smit told superrugby.co.za: "It is a very humbling achievement for me to be equalling a record set by Os, who I see as a real legend of the South African game.

"No matter what happens from now, I think Os will always be the legend of South African rugby. I am very humbled to be sharing a record that he has set."

Smit added that his recent switch to tighthead from hooker had taken its toll on him during matches.

"It is definitely more tiring to play at tighthead and I felt that it was much more of an effort to get up from the scrum to get around the field," he said in the wake of his side's 20-15 victory against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. "It is all about getting used to playing the position. "I would not say at the moment that it is a permanent switch or that it will be where I will end my career. We will see what happens."

© Scrum.com

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