McCall backs Smit at prop

The South African has played the majority of his rugby at hooker but he in fact began his career as a prop and led the South African U21 side in 1997 as a tighthead.

With the emergence of Bismarck du Plessis, Smit returned to his roots and was capped at prop by the Springboks on a number of occasions in the last two years at the helm of the team.

The presence of Schalk Brits and Jamie George at Sarries means that the club are well stocked at No 2 and as a result Smit may find himself running out at prop more often than not, a job he did over the weekend when loosehead Rhys GIll was forced off the field.

McCall insists he has no hesitations about playing Smit at prop.

"John's played international rugby at prop," explained McCall.

"We're in the fortunate position that we've got somebody like him who has the calibre to play hooker or loosehead.

"I thought he did very well when he came on to the pitch. For us to be able to bring experience like Carlos Nieto and John on to the pitch was great."