Q&A with Varsity Cup Dream Team and Pukke scrumhalf Dillon Smit
The Lions made a late change ahead of their clash with the Waratahs on Saturday.
Dillon Smit, who is being rewarded for an impressive Varsity Cup tournament replaces Ross Cronje on the bench. Smit is on loan from the Leopards.
Rugby Fifteen caught up with Varsity Cup Dream Team and Pukke scrumhalf Dillion Smit a few months ago. This remarkable young man made a huge statement in this years Varsity Cup.
1- You are a HTS Middleburg Old Boy, did you grow up watching the Pumas? What is your earliest rugby memory?
Yes I’m a very proud Rooibul oldboy. I started watching the Pumas back when they were still based in Witbank. They had some troubled times before Jimmy Stonehouse came along and took them to where they are today. My earliest rugby memory would be watching the Rugby with my dad hoping to be there myself one day.
2- What are you currently studying?
I’m currently busy with my Bcom Bussiness management degree. This is my second year and hope to finish next year.
3- You were awesome in this years Varsity Cup. What is it about the Pukke side that took the team to the final?
It would definitely be the brotherhood between us. We had better talent in 2014 in my opinion, but the boys worked very hard to give each other what they deserve.
4 – Did your parents play sport? If so what sport and achievements?
My father was the runner-up in South African Boxing welter weight back in 1988. He also played a bit of rugby but was mostly for the club. He was a fullback. My mother is a very sporty person and took part in every sport she could. She was only the second woman in South Africa to get her Springbok colours as a referee. She also represented South Africa at Womens Rugby World Cup in 2006. So its fair to say she knows the game a bit better than me hehehe..
5- Have you always played scrum half?
I never knew any other position until 2009 when I played flyhalf for my schools first team. After that I went back to scrumhalf. I had the opportunity to play a bit of fullback and wing in this year’s varsity cup but number 9 is definitely my first love.
6- What would you say is your biggest strength on the rugby field?
I always believed I had a good sidestep but found myself backing my speed the most in this year’s season. And as any scrumhalf I would say I have a good pass.
7- What has it been like working with Springbok legends Robert du Preez and James Small?
It has been an amazing two years of my life working with legends like them. Coach Rob has the most rugby knowledge I have ever seen and knows his players inside and out. Coach James is definitely my Hero and mentor without him even knowing it. He taught me so many lessons on and off the field. It’s been an honour to have them as our coaching staff.
8- What is your personal rugby highlight of your career so far?
It would definitely be making the Dream Team of 2015. I never had the opportunity to play for the Junior boks or SA Schools so this team would be my highlight.
9- Which rugby player(s) do you currently look up to and why?
As weird as it seems, him being younger than me and all, I would say Handre Pollard. I have never seen a young player fit in to a Springbok system, or any rugby system for that matter, like Handre. He has this maturity about him and he has never been bigger than the Game.
Kwagga Smit of the Blitsbokke would be another one. We went to school and played rugby together. He is a good friend of mine and I’m so proud of what he has achieved and know the game has a lot more to offer him.
10- You are clearly going places. Any offers on the table yet?
There have been some offers from other unions but I’m signed at the leopards till end 2016.
11- What has been your highlight of the Varsity Cup 2015 Competition?
I would say being the only team to beat Tukkies in the pool games, and beating them again in the semi-final.
12 – If you didn’t play rugby what would sport would you be into?
It would be soccer. I love watching the game and I’m a very big Real Madrid fan.
13- Who in your opinion is the best scrumhalf ever and why?
This is a very difficult question because there has been some great scrumhalves since I started watching rugby. If I had to choose one I would say George Gregan. He was a very exciting player with a head for the game. He wasn’t the biggest guy (like me) so he used his brain and skills to dominate his opponents. I would love to meet him someday.
Photo: Anton Geyser
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