Hooper could be next Graeme Smith: Boks

Springboks captain Jean de Villiers says Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has the chance to become Australian rugby’s version of champion cricketer Graeme Smith.

It’s about as good a compliment the 22-year-old Wallabies captain could have hoped for from his opposite ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test in Perth.

A string of injuries to numerous previous captains – including Will Genia, Stephen Moore and David Pocock – fast-tracked Hooper to the role earlier this year after former captain Ben Mowen decided to leave for European rugby.

And while he captained the Wallabies with aplomb against the French for a three-Test cleansweep, Hooper hit his first major hurdle just two weeks ago when his side was wiped off the park by the All Blacks 51-20 at Eden Park.

When asked if he had any sympathy for young Hooper after being catapulted into the captaincy role in such sudden circumstances, de Villiers laughed before giving his opposite some mighty high praise.

He compared him to fellow countryman and longest serving international cricketing captain Smith – who dragged a struggling South African cricket side up to world No.1 by rebuilding its confidence through sheer talent and grit before retiring earlier this year.

“I think it is a very tough job for a young guy,” said de Villiers, who will be playing his 99th Test.

“And maybe I can just relate to Graeme Smith.

“He got the captaincy at 22 years old and it was tough for him at the beginning as well.

“But he turned out to be the best captain that South Africa ever had in cricket.

“Maybe they see the same potential for a guy like Michael Hooper.

“It will be tough at the beginning … but he’s been put into that position because they think he’s the best. He can only grow in that.”

Hooper later told reporters he was enjoying the steep learning curve.

“It wasn’t something that, initially this year, I thought I’d be involved with,” he said.

“There’s been a few unfortunate injuries to really good guys, but it’s growing on me, it’s really enjoyable.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!