Lions flank Smith dreams of Bok call-up

Lions and South African Sevens international Kwagga Smith will remain in South Africa if he is a part of Allister Coetzee's Springbok plans.

Smith was fantastic for the Lions in Super Rugby this season, but Coetzee did not select him for the Rugby Championship. The Bok coach picked overseas-based openside flank, Bath's Francois Louw, to replace the injured Jaco Kriel ahead of Smith or Chris Cloete, who are both locally based and in excellent form.

Smth told SA Rugby Magazine that he was 'disappointed' to miss out on Bok selection after the Super Rugby final. 

"I want to play for the Boks, in the green and gold, and I want to go to the 2019 World Cup," he said. 

"But this was my first full Super Rugby season for the Lions, so I’m just happy people are talking about me as a Bok contender. I also chatted to coach Allister during the week of the Test against France [at Ellis Park in June]. He told me I had been playing very well and that I must just keep on doing what I’m doing."

When asked about a potential overseas move, Smith said: "If I’m part of coach Allister’s plans, I will stay in South Africa to give myself the best chance of playing for my country."