The world of rugby will only truly appreciate the value of Springbok captain John Smit once he retires. This, along with other plaudits heaped on Smit and Bok coach Peter de Villiers come from record-breaking wing Bryan Habana in the third and final instalment of his chat with Jan de Koning.

Habana regards it as a "privilege" to have been mentored by De Villiers, while Smit he regards as a "very special" person.

"The results [of the Bok team] in itself probably say what they mean to the team," Habana said, when asked about De Villiers and Smit.

"For me, personally, I have had a relationship with Peter [de Villiers] since 2004, when he was my Under-21 coach and we [South Africa U21] went to Scotland," the 26-year-old Bok flyer said.

"What I have been able to learn from Peter, not only on the field, but off it as well, the relationship I have been able to build with him over the last five years has been special.

"When I first became a Springbok [in 2004] he was one of the first guys I SMSed, to give him a call and have a chat to him about all of it.

"He is a fantastic person."

Habana feels that it is the Bok coach's strong principles that also contribute to the success of the team.

"He really stands by what he believes in and that lends itself to the success of where the Springboks are at the moment.

"I am very fortunate and privileged that he has not only backed me - when he could easily have let me go or not picked me.

"I've been privileged to have been part of his plans and I really do owe him a lot to where I am now as a rugby player. I really am appreciative to what he has been able to lend, not only as a coach, but as a person as well."

Habana said Smith, the captain, player and person, has been a success in every team he has been involved in.

"I don't even know where to start with John [Smit]," he told this website.

"The world of rugby will only fully understand what John Smit has meant to the Springbok side when he hangs up his boots one day.

"I've been able to become a friend with John off the field as well. [The other day] he was on his way to Pretoria Boys [High School, Smit's alma mater] and we had about a 20 minute chat just about life.

"John is a fantastic person and the way he has been able to bring this side together is great. It is not the easiest thing to bring a Springbok side together - where you have players from different unions, players from different cultural backgrounds, different diversities, to bring them together, to form success.

"The way John has been able to, since 2004, is probably something that not many people would have been able to do.

"He has been through four Springboks coaches [Harry Viljoen, Rudolf Straeuli, Jake White and Peter de Villiers]. Throughout his reign [as captain] he has been able to be succesful.

"The reason why he is the most capped Test captain of all time is because he has values and principles that he lends towards the success of any team that he is involved in.

"You look at the Sharks, their success - getting close to winning the Super 14, winning the Currie Cup last year.

"He is a fantastic guy off the field, probably one of the most well-spoken players you will get in world rugby.

"I definitely take my hat off to both of them [De Villiers and Smit]," Habana concluded.

  • Part One: Habana on his Cape Town move

  • Part Two: An honour to play for the Springboks