In a significant milestone, South Africa’s loose forward Kwagga Smith celebrated his 50th Test appearance by helping the Springboks secure a strong 32-15 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield in their Autumn Nations Series opener. The defending world champions showcased a powerful performance, scoring four tries without conceding any, though they faced a resilient challenge from Scotland.
Smith, who has represented South Africa in both sevens and traditional 15s rugby, expressed pride in reaching this career landmark with a win. Reflecting on the occasion, he said, “Playing at Murrayfield and getting a win in my 50th game was very special. Scotland played well, and we made some mistakes, but the team’s effort to secure the result made it memorable, and it’s an honor to mark this achievement with this team.”
Smith’s career includes medals in both rugby codes, having won gold and bronze with the Blitzboks at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympics, respectively. Alongside his sevens achievements, Smith now holds a unique position as one of the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup double champions. Reaching 50 Tests for the Springboks is an accomplishment he didn’t initially envision. “After sevens and tournaments like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, my goal shifted to playing for the Springboks. I didn’t expect to make it to 50 matches, so it’s an honor to give back to this team,” he shared.
Young talent Canan Moodie, who joined the Springboks squad for the match, also shone during the team’s tour-opening victory. The 20-year-old, who played on the right wing, recently celebrated his role in South Africa’s successful World Cup campaign in France. Expressing his excitement, Moodie said, “Playing at Murrayfield was amazing and another dream venue to tick off my list. It was made even better by the strong support from South Africans in the crowd.” This win marks his return to the team after a five-week break, a factor he highlighted while celebrating the Springboks’ shutout performance.
Looking ahead, the Springboks will face England at Twickenham, and the victory over Scotland has given them a confidence boost. Moodie noted that the team would quickly shift focus to prepare well for the short turnaround before Saturday’s clash. He concluded, “The win over Scotland was tough but provides a good start for our tour. We’re taking that momentum into the England match.”