Kwagga Smith has confirmed that he is fit and firing for the upcoming two-Test series against Ireland in July.

There were concerns over Smith’s availability for the Springboks as he went under the knife in January after tearing a tendon near his groin.

Smith was part of both Springbok teams that won the World Cup in Japan in 2019 and France in 2023, coming off the bench to great effect in the final against the All Blacks in Paris.

The 30-year-old captains Japan League One side Shizuoka Blue Revs, but has been sidelined with the injury since the beginning of the year.

However, speaking to Sunday newspaper Rapport, Smith says he has already recovered fully from the injury and will be ready to play for the Springboks in July.

“I’m back in South Africa and definitely ready for the (Irish) Tests,” Smith told Sunday newspaper Rapport.

“I trained 100% comfortably with my team in Japan a month ago.”

Smith’s availability will be even more key for the Boks, after No 8 Jasper Wiese was handed a six-game suspension, ruling him out of the series.

Wiese was suspended for a dangerous cleanout in his final Premiership appearance for Leicester Tigers.

Able to play across the back row, Smith is among the candidates who could start at No 8 in the first Test against Ireland at Loftus Versfeld on 6 July.

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