Smith Schoeman & Co.

2019-05-19

Smith Schoeman & Co.

Smith and Schoeman sounds like a partnership with their names shining in glitter at a big company. In this case, however, Smith and Schoeman are in a partnership on the side of the Emirates Lions scrum and their names are shining bright in rugby circles.

Kwagga Smith and Marnus Schoeman both weigh in at less than 100 kilograms which is unheard of in modern rugby, but they outweigh much bigger opponents in Vodacom SuperRugby, week after week.

The more muscular Schoeman fights well above his weight and his blonde hair is apparent close to the ball. Smith, on the other hand, is more the athlete who is a menace on attack, but he too is always in the vicinity of the ball.

Stats

Together these two have scored 27 tries in just 71 games, with Schoeman scoring eleven tries in 26 outings and Smith 16 in his 45 games in the red and white. Smith scored three tries, made 45 carries and gained 390 meters on attack in 78 runs, beaten eight defenders, made nine clean breaks and 25 passes. He made 86 tackles in 97 attempts.

Schoeman scored six tries, including a hat-trick against the Jaguares, and made 81 carries and gained 232 meters in 110 runs, has beaten twelve defenders, made eight clean breaks and 42 passes. He made 126 tackles in 135 attempts.

Smith has one Test match behind his name while Schoeman is the more experienced campaigner who has plied his trade with Griquas and the Pumas before joining the pride. Smith, also a Blitzbok, has played two matches for the British Barbarians and was named Man of the Match against the All Blacks at the end of 2017. Schoeman is a Barbarian as well, representing the SupaBarbarians against the Czech Republic in Prague, a tour that opened the door for him to join the Lions

Annemie Bester