Barney anoints Marx as the GOAT

John Smit says Malcolm Marx the greatest hooker to have ever worn the No 2 jersey for the Springboks.

The former Bok captain made the admission after Marx starred in the Boks’ win over the All Blacks in the third Test in Johannesburg at the weekend, a result that moved South Africa 2-1 up in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

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“There are a couple of things about Malcolm that make him the best in the world, certainly the best that’s worn the number two shirt in South Africa, and I say that quite respectfully and quite gladly,” Smit said on the I Love Rugby podcast, alongside Jim Hamilton and George Gregan.

“I’ve loved watching him play, I’ve loved what he can do for South Africa, but there’s a deeper reason. He’s a beast, he’s a monstrous man, he’s a big guy, he’s athletic. He’s fast, he carries well, he steals, he scrums and he’s got an unbelievable throw.

“There are no real chinks in the armour and what people don’t understand is over and above that, we’ve all played with some amazing rugby players and he’s a better human being than he is a rugby player, he’s just such a good guy.”

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Marx will win his 93rd Test cap in Saturday’s clash in Baltimore and is on course to reach a century of caps before next year’s World Cup. Should he continue at his current level, the 32-year-old will also surpass Smit’s own tally of 111 appearances.

Smit believes Marx has become a talismanic figure in the Springbok changing room, someone teammates draw confidence from before big Tests.

“He’s good for the team; he’s the kind of guy that gets in there and serves the guys all the time. He’s providing a level of confidence,” Smit said.

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Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images

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