Super Rugby
Sharks plan could show the way for Smit
ESPNscrum Staff
April 20, 2011
Sharks captain John Smit warms up for the new Super Rugby season, Kings Park, Durban, South Africa, February 18, 2011
John Smit has played a utility role for the Sharks this season © Getty Images
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Sharks coach John Plumtree has met with Springboks boss Peter De Villiers to discuss the management of skipper John Smit.

The 33-year-old, capped 102 times by South Africa, has been deployed across the front-row at Super Rugby level this season, but early reports suggested that he would be considered solely as a hooker by the Springboks.

Plumtree, who sat down with De Villiers on Monday, believes that Smit's selection should be approached with an open mind. He was on Wednesday named as one of five hookers for a national team get-together at the beginning of May.

"We had a positive meeting," Plumtree said. "How I'm using John here is an insight into possibly how they can use him there. How I utilise John at the Sharks suits our team dynamics but how he [De Villiers] uses John is totally up to him.

"The main thing is making sure John is happy with what I'm doing here - and he is. He wants to have a good, enjoyable year and right now, he's achieving that. And, at the end of the day, we'll do what's best for the team. That's pretty much what our discussion was based upon."

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