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Chris Smith (Gallo Images)
- Chris Smith provided a glimpse of his proverbial big game temperament with his winning kick for the Bulls over Western Province last weekend.
- The 26-year-old has been impressive managing expectations in the shadow of Morne Steyn, as well as rebounding from his missed kick at Bloemfontein a few weeks ago.
- Smith has also embraced Steyn, who has been a willing mentor to him.
“We play rugby sometimes to make amends.”
Bulls midfielder Chris Smith embodies that statement.
Even though Jake White didn’t make much of a fuss about it, his previous meeting with the Cheetahs didn’t go so well.
Loaded with a game-tying conversion at Free State Stadium in the second round of Super Rugby unlocked, the 26-year-old failed as his team suffered their only defeat of the season 17-19.
“Morne Steyn had kicked well in that game and he knew there was a chance that he would come in later,” Smith said.
“As a replacement, you know you’re going to be exposed to the big moments and you obviously want to stand up. Unfortunately, I pulled the kick, but I learned a lot from it and kept looking forward.”
About five weeks later, Smith made a massive statement in a possibly higher stakes game.
Seemingly destined for another loss at Newlands, the center launched a brilliant cross kick to replace back Marco Jansen van Vuren, who tied the score at 20 points.
Smith set up the kicking tee near the left touchline, didn’t waste too much time and made the conversion.
“It was a very special moment in my career, an incredible feeling. I am very happy that it ended,” he said quite concisely.
It is quite easy to understand why.
Not only did he kill his Bloemfontein demon, his kick meant the Bulls had clinched a Currie Cup victory on holy ground for the first time in 11 years.
“It was a good feeling to do something special in Newlands,” said Smith, who went to school at nearby SACS.
“I think I was like 15 when Morne threw that winning kick (in the 2009 Currie Cup semi-final). It really was an incredible feeling to win there again.”
Adding to the magnitude of Smith’s contribution this past weekend is the fact that he has been subject to fairly high expectations as Steyn’s designated substitute.
Those expectations have just skyrocketed as the form of the Bulls and Steyn skyrocketed over the past few weeks.
“Morne has been playing incredible rugby this season. He’s probably No. 10 in shape in the country,” Smith said.
“The best thing I can do is be a sponge. It would be silly if I didn’t learn from a Springbok legend. I watch and listen to him, following his every move on the field.
“It was fantastic. Morne has taken me under his wing. I am lucky to have him as a mentor.”
But it hasn’t been just Steyn’s support that has made Smith stand out in the past fortnight.
“I have great teammates around me,” he said.
“There are scrum-media from Bok in Ivan (van Zyl) and Embrose (Papier) that take the pressure off me.
“Coach Jake has been great too. He told me I’m his designated number 10, that I need to take control and be the driver. He gave me a lot of confidence.”
