Springbok mentor Morne Steyn guiding Chris Smith to URC Golden Boot

Steyn, regarded as one of the best kickers of a rugby ball in the history of the game, retired from rugby in 2023. Having spent all but seven seasons of his 20-year career at his beloved Bulls, it seemed certain he'd be kept on as a kicking consultant, yet no job materialised.

But the Bulls' loss is the Lions' gain. The Bok sharpshooter was snapped up by the Johannesburg franchise in 2023 and reignited his partnership with Smith this season.

And it's going well. Smith is currently the leading points scorer in the United Rugby Championship season with 106 points. He's far ahead of the chasing pack after 13 rounds, with Benetton's Jacob Umaga 29 points behind.

At the Bulls, Smith went from Steyn's understudy to equal, and finally, friend, during Steyn's final years.

"I have been fortunate to work with Morne for the past five or six years," the 31-year-old told the URC website.

"He joined the Bulls when I was there, so we were competing with each other. Then he retired and I continued there for another year or two and we just built a really close relationship. He's a really good family friend of ours.

"When I went overseas to France, he joined the Lions as kicking coach and now I've joined the Lions and we've been reunited. I've had a really good journey with him and it's been special."

Steyn was picked for the Springboks for the 2021 British and Irish Lions Tour despite being in the Bok wilderness for five years. In an incredible story, he kicked the green and gold to victory in the final Test, just as he'd done 12 years prior, etching his name into Springbok folklore.

"You honestly couldn't have a much better mentor," continued Smith.

"He's probably one of the best ball strikers the game has ever seen. He ranks right up there.

"So I've been very fortunate to build such a relationship with him. To be able to watch him and learn from him has been priceless. That's been quite special.

"It's definitely something I don't take for granted. I am very fortunate that our paths have crossed and we've built such a good relationship."

Somewhat ironcially, Smith admitted it hasn't been his best season with the boot. The playmaker has benefitted from a rampant Lions attack that scores tries aplenty when they're red hot, giving him many opportunities to kick at goal. But his accuracy is at 79 percent, which is low for his standards

"It's probably the worst percentage I have had in the URC," he revealed.

"I think the first year with the Bulls I had 82 percent, then 89, and then I had that 90 percent for the Golden Boot.

"So it hasn't been the smoothest, but I've been fortunate to be playing a lot of minutes and have a lot of kicking opportunities, so I think that's where the points have come in."

The Lions are hunting their first-ever playoff spot in the URC. They currently sit in seventh place with five fixtures to go, including three home games.

"We are definitely not getting ahead of ourselves," quipped  Smith.

"We are focusing really hard on just taking it game by game. Hopefully, by the end of it, we will be in the top eight spot. We'd really love to make the play-offs for the first time."

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