Springbok captain John Smit arrived at new Clermont on the weekend to get his domestic season underway just two weeks after leading his side to World Cup glory.

Smit lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy with a 15-6 win over England in the final at the Stade de France and returned to France on Saturday to be presented to the home crowd ahead of Clermont's 33-20 Top 14 win over Montpelllier.

"It was madness in our country," Smit told the crowd at the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin about running to South Africa with the trophy. "It was amazing and we wanted it to never end.

"This is the best thing that could happen to me. I chose Clermont because it's a big club with impressive infrastructure. I've already spoken to several of my team-mates but I'm eager to find out more."

Smit looks set to make his Clermont debut on Saturday against Welsh club Llanelli Scarlets in their opening Heineken Cup clash.

He is also likely to rejoin the Springboks for a one-off international against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on November 24 and again a week later for a clash against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Pippa Davis / Eurosport