'He’s probably one of the best ball strikers the game has ever seen'

Points machine Chris Smith has paid tribute to the “priceless” part Springboks legend Morne Steyn has played in him becoming one of the most prolific goal-kickers in the game.

Fly-half Smith is the top points scorer in the BKT URC this season having become the first player to reach the century mark.

He took his tally to 106 by landing seven shots at goal as the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions claimed a thumping 54-17 victory over Edinburgh Rugby in Johannesburg last weekend.

That puts him 24 points clear of his nearest rival – Benetton Rugby’s Jacob Umaga – with his haul made up of 14 penalties and 32 conversions.

His place-kicking, along with his tactical control and distribution, has played a key role in the Lions moving firmly into contention for the end-of-season play-offs.

United Rugby Championship

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Glasgow

13

10

3

0

50

2

Stormers

13

10

3

0

46

3

Ulster

13

8

5

0

42

4

Leinster

13

8

5

0

41

5

Cardiff Rugby

13

8

5

0

40

6

Munster

13

8

5

0

39

7

Lions

13

7

5

1

38

8

Bulls

13

7

6

0

35

9

Connacht

13

6

7

0

35

10

Ospreys

13

5

6

2

29

11

Sharks

13

5

7

1

29

12

Benetton

13

5

6

2

28

13

Edinburgh

13

4

9

0

23

14

Scarlets

13

4

8

1

21

15

Dragons RFC

13

2

8

3

20

16

Zebre

13

2

11

0

12

They currently lie seventh in the league table as they prepare to welcome Dragons RFC to Ellis Park this weekend.

Their 31-year-old former Bulls No 10 is thoroughly enjoying his time in Jo’burg, having returned to South Africa last year after a spell with French club Oyonnax.

Reflecting on his kicking success, Smith is quick to acknowledge the role played by Steyn, the man who twice landed series-winning penalties for the Springboks against the British & Irish Lions – in 2009 and 2021.

“I have been fortunate to work with Morne for the past five or six years,” he said.

“He joined the Bulls when I was there, so we were competing with each other.

“Then he retired and I continued there for another year or two and we just built a really close relationship. He’s a really good family friend of ours.

“When I went overseas to France, he joined the Lions as kicking coach and now I’ve joined the Lions and we’ve been reunited. I’ve had a really good journey with him and it’s been special.

“You honestly couldn’t have a much better mentor.

“He’s probably one of the best ball strikers the game has ever seen. He ranks right up there.

“So I’ve been very fortunate to build such a relationship with him. To be able to watch him and learn from him has been priceless. That’s been quite special.

“It’s definitely something I don’t take for granted. I am very fortunate that our paths have crossed and we’ve built such a good relationship.”

Born and raised in Cape Town, Smith started out with the Western Province Academy and then went on to play for the Stellenbosch University Maties in the Varsity Cup while studying public development management.

After a two-season stint with the Pumas in Nelspruit, he was signed up by the Bulls where he was to spend five years, playing Currie Cup and Super Rugby ahead of the top four South African sides joining the BKT URC.

He was to win the BKT URC Gilbert Golden Boot award in the 2023-24 season after landing 30 successful kicks with a 90 per accuracy rate. Then came the move to Europe to play for Oyonnax in Pro D2.

“I had always thought about going abroad,” he said.

“I wanted to go and challenge myself in a completely different environment, a different culture, to keep growing as a player and a human being. It was always the plan.

“That was a great learning experience and I really enjoyed it.”

After a year in eastern France, Smith returned to South Africa by linking up with the Lions.

“It was just such a great opportunity,” he explained.

“It was a team I had admired and my dad grew up supporting them, so there was probably a bit of sentiment in the decision. He always used to refer to them as the Mighty Lions! That was quite funny.

“I’ve loved my time here and I’m really enjoying my role. It’s been really good. I am loving my rugby at the moment.

“The Lions are known for playing a good attacking brand of rugby. It’s always been in their DNA. So it’s very cool to be a part of it and experience this great attacking brand.”

While Smith is the BKT URC’s top points scorer this season by some distance, his 79 per cent success rate with the boot is actually below his usual return.

“It’s probably the worst percentage I have had in the BKT URC,” he revealed.

“I think the first year with the Bulls I had 82 per cent, then 89 and then I had that 90 per cent for the [Gilbert] Golden Boot.

“So it hasn’t been the smoothest, but I’ve been fortunate to be playing a lot of minutes and have a lot of kicking opportunities, so I think that’s where the points have come in.”

It’s illuminating to hear Smith outline the practice he puts in on his goal-kicking during training.

“There’s no specific number of kicks or routine that I do every single week. I probably go more on feeling than I want to kick 100 kicks this week.

“I focus on rhythm and build it up towards the game. If I feel really good and have hit some good ones, then I will stop.

“You do really have to put the work in. It’s a daily work-on and you have to focus on the small things and the detail to be able to kick at a good percentage.”

Reflecting on his overall game, he added: “As a fly-half, I like to think I am entering my better years. I am loving it at the moment and really enjoying my time at the Lions.

“But you never stop learning. There never comes a time where you know everything about the game.

“I am definitely learning each day and working on my craft – trying to build on my strengths and make weaknesses in my game better.

“You have to keep getting those one per centers every day just to become the best player you can be.”

With five league fixtures left, including the next three at home, the in-form Lions are very much in the mix for the play-offs.

“We are definitely not getting ahead of ourselves,” said Smith.

“We are focusing really hard on just taking it game by game.

“Hopefully, by the end of it, we will be in the top eight spot. We’d really love to make the play-offs for the first time.”

As for his thoughts on the league, he said: “I think all of us South African players absolutely love playing in the BKT URC.

“We have really enjoyed taking part in it. I think it’s really been good for South African rugby.

“One week you are in Jo’burg playing in the blazing heat. The following weekend you are in Glasgow playing in the cold with the wind.

“So you really are challenged. You are playing in different conditions, against completely different styles of play and players you don’t necessarily know that well.

“It’s just been such a really good challenge and a really good league to be a part of.

“I think I speak for most South Africans when I say we really love being a part of the BKT URC.”