Rugby Centurions gather in London to celebrate 100-cap club
Friday 24 November 2017 19:08, UK
John Smit opened his speech at the Rugby Centurions dinner with a story of his second ever game for Natal, which came against the British and Irish Lions during their 1997 tour of South Africa.
Just 19 years old at the time - and "a fat, ginger prop" by his own description - Smit took the field late in the second half where he scrummed against Welshman Dai Young.
After the game Young asked Smit if he would like to swap jerseys, but Smit had to politely refuse as it was the first Natal jersey that he was allowed to keep, and he didn't want to give it up. Smit then went for a shower and when he came out he was told there was someone at the door waiting for him.
It was Jason Leonard, who handed over his game jersey and said: "I heard your story, and I wanted to wish you well in your career."
Smit said the gesture stayed with him, and when he started for the Springboks against England in December 2000, he was happy to be able to return the favour as he folded his Bok jersey after the game and presented it to Leonard.
A little over 20 years after they first met, the pair were part of a group of international centurions who arrived in London for the Gala Launch of Rugby Centurions. There are 54 centurions in the game in total, with more than half making the effort to be in the same room on Thursday.
"We've got 31 men and women here tonight, which a testament to rugby," said Smit. "It's been a pretty special night."
Leonard said he felt fortunate to be in such good company.
"It's a huge honour and a huge privilege," said the former England prop. "It's very humbling to be a part of such a fantastic group of people."
During the evening the Centurions were called up to the stage one by one and presented with blazers to commemorate their induction into the organisation.
"It's funny to imagine myself being a part of it," said former Springbok Jean de Villiers, who won 109 caps for his country. "Standing on stage next to people like Philippe Sella and other guys that I loved to watch - my heroes - and suddenly I am part of a club with them. It's a very proud evening I must say.
"The dream was always to play rugby for South Africa, and luckily I was able to live my dream but I never imagined I'd get to 100 Test matches, so tonight is pretty special."
The newest member of the club is Sarah Hunter, who won her 100th cap against Canada two days before the launch, and the loose forward said she was still getting to grips with the achievement.
"It was absolutely amazing," said Hunter. "You dream of playing once for your country, but to get to a hundred caps is just indescribable.
"It's definitely still sinking in to be here this evening in such prestigious company, I'm a bit in awe to be honest because these are people I looked up to and grew up watching, and now I'm standing beside them."
It was a sentiment echoed by Wales legend Gareth Thomas.
"I always thought that when I looked back on it I'd be really proud of it, but I didn't want to think about it when I was playing," said the former Wales captain. "Tonight for the first time, it's really hit home for me."
The Centurions all spoke of how much they had benefitted from the game over the years.
"It's not just about the actual sport itself, it's the friendships that you make," said Hunter. "The camaraderie that you have, the respect that you learn for the referee and the opposition. That's what builds you as a person."
Smit said: "Rugby has given me everything I've got. I've been playing since I was 11 years old - it's a sport that I am very grateful for."
The Centurions website described the mission of the foundation as a vehicle to improve the sport as a whole: "As well as celebrating the achievements of its exalted membership, Rugby Centurions has a larger, more profound goal; to use the combined weight of experience and expertise of its members to grow grassroots rugby where it is most needed, where it can make an indelible difference to people's lives."
Leonard spoke about his excitement surrounding the combined power of the Centurions in helping to lift the game around the world.
"The foundation will give back across the globe wherever we can," said the 119-cap international. "I don't think there's a project too big or too ambitious for us to help with.
"It would be fantastic if we can team up with World Rugby for some of their projects. There is so much good that can come from it, I am glad to be a part of it and looking forward to seeing it grow."
Hunter says she is eager to lend a helping hand in an effort to repay those who have sacrificed in the name of her career: "I've taken so much from rugby and from a lot of people, and I feel that now we're in a position where we can start to give back, and hopefully be ambassadors for the game and help inspire people to become involved in rugby."
De Villiers, whose 100th cap was presented to him by fellow Centurion Richie McCaw during the 2014 Rugby Championship, said the foundation is built on shared regard for former opponents.
"That's what makes rugby special, the mutual respect that's there," said the former Bok skipper. "Players from all over the world coming together to celebrate rugby and celebrate what we have achieved as individuals - but all being the same. Nobody is bigger than anybody else.
"I grew up in a rugby house in a country that's mad about rugby, so I can't remember my life without it. Not everyone has that opportunity, so there's a responsibility from our point of view to give back.
"Not just for the development of the game, but to give back in terms of what rugby teaches you, because I'm of the view that you didn't just see good rugby players up there tonight, you saw good people."
