South Africa's three-match series against the British and Irish Lions is more special than the World Cup, Springbok captain John Smit said yesterday.
Smit skippered the Boks to World Cup glory in France two years ago, and stayed on to play in the Top 14 with Clermont. But he then turned his back on a lucrative extension on his contract with the French club specifically to return to South Africa with a starting berth against the Lions his main objective.
"It's a big occasion," admitted Smit, speaking ahead of the first Test in nearby Durban today. "It will almost be a sigh of relief to wake up and realise the waiting is finally over.
"It is such a rare occasion, it has been a big build-up, a big wait. I just pray the quality of the game matches the hype and excitement of the past two years."
The Lions were last in South Africa 12 years ago, when a Jerry Guscott drop-goal sealed a 2-1 series win.
"There was no injustice in 1997," Smit said. "It was a hugely disappointing moment, and one we've obviously had to reminisce on.
"But it doesn't form any part of our campaign. It's a lifetime away. The Lions is the last real old-school series that is left.
"It's important that as a code, union is just so unique to any other sport as it holds onto those things.
"It's not just our series but it carries more than 100 years of history. The hype has been much bigger than any other Test match."
The 81-time capped hooker-cum-prop is now looking forward to pitting his wits against Ian McGeechan's class of 2009, stating: "It will be hugely contested because there's so much at stake and we won't have another chance to relive this. There are not many players on either side who'll be around in 12 years time for another crack."
It had made his job as captain that much easier, Smit acknowledged, joking that didn't have to rejig his "Braveheart" speech to motivate the Springbok squad.
"To be frank, there's not a lot I've felt I've needed to do from a motivational point of view. We've had two very productive weeks. We're pretty happy, we've managed to cover all our bases."
World Cup glory was now kept only as a "fond memory", Smit said, adding: "I could have camped out in Clermont, taking it easy and replaying the World Cup over and over, or come back here... The World Cup was phenomenal.
"We now have a similar group as in 2007. And we draw on those experiences in tight games. It can only ever help you."
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