John Smit is the most experienced and one of the most successful captains in test rugby but even he admits it has been a challenge to raise spirits in the weakened Springbok touring squad this week.

Without the 21 frontline players left at home to recuperate, the 33-year-old led the South Africans to a 39-20 battering by the Wallabies in Sydney last weekend and will captain his country for the 78th time against the All Blacks on Saturday.

Smit, who has led South Africa to two Tri-Nations titles, a series victory over the British and Irish Lions and, of course, the 2007 World Cup triumph, said the inexperience of the squad had made this a very tough tour.

“It’s been quite a difficult trip … this time round the challenges have been far larger,” Smit told reporters on Friday.

“I think my biggest job has just to try and get the guys to keep renewing their own self-belief in what they can do and what got them here, against the continual struggle of people telling them they don’t have that ability.

“It’s difficult to keep a young side understanding what has got them to this level, the fact that they have been chosen to put a green and gold jersey over their heads when it doesn’t go well,” he added.

“So we had to be really hard on Monday but keep building on these guys because they are going to be playing test rugby for some time after this World Cup, they are going to be the future of rugby in our country.

“It’s important for them not to think that every time they get into this environment, the whole world’s hating them.”

One of the brightest young talents in South African rugby is Patrick Lambie, who will make his first Springboks start at fullback against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.

“He’s an amazing young man,” said Smit, who plays with Lambie in Super rugby with the Sharks. “If you had a daughter of 18-years-old, he’s about the only rugby player you’d allow her to walk out with.

“An absolute gentleman, really intelligent, he really commands his position even as a 20-year-old. He’s got all-round skills and the composure that’s not the norm with a guy his age. I do think he’ll be around for a long time.”

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