De Villiers expects the 75-test veteran to join his squad on Tuesday and the fact the hooker is yet to familiarise himself with the new laws (ELVs) being trialled in the southern hemisphere does not concern him. "He knows what's going on.
We keep in touch with him on a daily basis," de Villiers said on Monday . Captain of last year's champion World Cup side, Smit has been playing his club rugby in France since leading the Springboks to two victories over Wales a few weeks ago.
He missed the 26-0 win over Italy last weekend to fulfil his commitments to Clermont, who lost to Toulouse in the French championship final last weekend.
"There are a few other players who haven't really played under the ELVs but they should have done their homework by now. If they haven't they shouldn't be here," de Villiers said.
He said he did not anticipate any problem with players adjusting to the changes. Despite his late arrival, Smit is expected to start in the first of two tests between the two sides in New Zealand over the next two Saturdays.
His familiarity with the All Blacks and New Zealand conditions will be important to his team.
The first test is seen by fans in both nations as a major trial for the respective coaches --de Villiers, who replaced Jake White after South Africa's triumph in last year's World Cup, and Graham Henry, who was reinstated despite New Zealand's exit at the quarterfinals stage.
Both teams have beaten northern hemisphere opponents in recent weeks but the Tri-Nations will provide a better gauge of their progress.
Springboks squad:
Backs: Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Adrian Jacobs, Enrico Januarie, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn.
Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, John Smit (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson. |
