Young and athletic versatile forward Cal Smid has signed for the Tel Aviv Heat for the upcoming Rugby Europe Super Cup season.
By breaking into European club rugby, Cal follows in the footsteps of his brother Rayn, a loose forward who played with Western Province and Bristol and before joining his current team, Ealing Trailfinders.
Cal sees Rayn and Springbok Ryan Kankowski as his rugby mentors.
At 1.90m and 105 kg, Cal Smid has the versatility to apply his impressive athleticism as a loose forward while offering the size and strength to move to lock, and will prove to be a great weapon for The Heat in the lineouts.
Life wasn’t always in the pack for Smid. The 21-year-old started his rugby playing as a fly half, but after being dropped he decided to make the switch into the pack.
A Rondebosch Boys High School (Western Cape) product Cal was in the provincial set up since the U15 level. In 2017 he captained the WP academy week side. A natural leader, Cal shifted to the Lions franchise as a student at WITS where he captained the U19 Lions Currie Cup team progressing to the U21 Currie Cup team the year after. Representing WITS in the Varsity Cup 14 times as a youngster speaks not only to his physical skills but to his character and leadership.
A physical player, Cal prides himself on defence and is ready to work hard for the Tel Aviv Heat in the tough Super Cup Eastern conference against the strong Georgian and Russian Franchises.
Cal Smid on signing for the Tel Aviv Heat:
“I am extremely excited to be joining The Tel Aviv Heat. It will be refreshing for me to get a unique new experience abroad and away from what I am used to in South African Rugby. I aim to work really hard and be a top contributor to the success of the new franchise. The competition is a challenge that I am looking forward to and I am 100% ready to thrive in it…”
Kevin Musikanth on Cal Smid:
“Having been expertly nurtured at rugby-rich Rondebosch boys high school, Cal has played 1st team rugby ever since his junior years, more often than not occupying leadership positions. In the tough WP junior region with some of the best young talent in South Africa, Cal has managed to play representative rugby. This he continued into his u19 and u21 year playing middle and back row for the Lions Currie Cup junior teams, again as a leader and calling lineouts. Cal is sure to make an impact for the Tel Aviv Heat and we are fortunate to have him as part of our team, as he breaks into senior rugby..."
Want to see Cal in action? Check out the following links: