Smith, 50, joined from the Italian Rugby Federation where he has served as Head of High Performance since 2021, and previously as the men’s national Head Coach from 2020

Smith, a former Springbok, made a try scoring debut against Scotland at Murrayfield and won nine caps for his country between 1996 and 1999.

During his playing career he played for Free State Cheetahs, Griquas, Blue Bulls, and The Pumas in South Africa, as well as Newport, Bologna, and Benetton Treviso in Europe.

Smith began coaching soon after retiring, first as backs coach for Free State Cheetahs, before returning to Italy in 2007 as Head Coach of Benetton. In Treviso, he won two National Championship of Excellence titles, prior to the club joining the PRO12.

He returned to Cheetahs in 2014 and led them to two Currie Cup titles in 2016 and 2019, and also spent time as an assistant coach with South Africa during 2017 and 2018.

As Italy men’s national Head Coach, he was responsible for capping a wealth of talent, including the current men’s national team captain Michele Lamaro, and the talented playmaker Paolo Garbisi.

Having reached an inaugural European final by reaching the EPCR Challenge Cup Final at the end of his first season at the helm, Smith then led Glasgow Warriors to a first title since 2015 in June 2024, masterminding his side to BKT URC glory after a 21-16 win over the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria.