Heading into the new season the Hollywoodbets Dolphins have made a few new signings, none bigger than welcoming Proteas all-rounder Jon-Jon Smuts to Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium for the upcoming campaign.
Smuts, who has spent his entire career at the Warriors and Eastern Province, has made the trip up the East Coast to Durban with an eye on rejuvenating himself in a fresh environment and amongst a talented group of players.
The 33 year-old moves to Kingsmead having played over 100 matches in each format and with a wealth of experience that includes three T20 and six ODI caps for South Africa. He feels the move will help him just as much as his knowledge might help the other players.
“I do see myself as a senior player and someone who has been around,” Smuts said. “I am in a position where I can pass on some experience and some knowledge onto the other players, but in saying that the Dolphins have an exciting squad and some unbelievable players so it is a chance for me to come and learn from some of the best in the country.
“This will definitely help me in taking my game to another level and hopefully I can help the other guys along in their journey; and that’s something that I am really looking forward to.”
Having spent his career at St George’s Park, when he was thinking about moving, the lure of another coastal side was big for him and that’s a reason why he chose the Dolphins.
“I felt a change would be really good for me and obviously being an Eastern Cape boy and growing up on the coast I was looking for somewhere that would have similar conditions and atmosphere.
“Durban was the big city that attracted me and I have loved my time spent here.
"I have really enjoyed every time I have come to play the Dolphins here so it is an exciting move for me and something that I couldn’t turn down.”
Smuts formed a crucial part of the Warriors side for many years and has proven to be a player that can never be counted out, and his attitude and ability will bolster the Dolphins side as that competitive fire still burns brightly in him.
“I want to win trophies with the Dolphins,” he stressed. “The Dolphins have a proud history of being a very successful team so for me it is about trying to add to the trophy cabinet.
“You want to win trophies for your domestic side so that is what I am looking to do and hopefully we can achieve that as a Dolphins group.
“I think we have a really exciting squad lined up for next season so there is a lot to look forward to,” Smuts added.