JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The South African Rugby Union paid a final tribute to John Smit and Victor Matfield on Tuesday, calling them "undoubted legends of Springbok rugby."
As Smit arrived in England on a two-year contract with Saracens, SARU President Oregan Hoskins said "they stood out as players from the day they first pulled on the Springbok jersey."
Smit retired from internationals after South Africa's World Cup quarterfinal exit with the most tests played for the Boks (111) and the world record for tests as captain (83).
Matfield left all rugby after 110 tests, but his 114 appearances for South Africa — including non-cap games — is more than anyone else.
They led South Africa to two Tri-Nations triumphs, a series win over the British and Irish Lions and a World Cup title.
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