South Africa's World Cup-winning captain John Smit has revealed that retirement from international rugby is not on his radar.

Smit will lead the Springboks into battle against Wales on Saturday in an encounter which sees coach Jake White take charge of South Africa for the final time in a Test match.

But Smit, who recently joined up with French club Clermont Auvergne, has no intention of following White through the exit door.

Smit said: "For me, it's quite simple.

"I have been very fortunate in my career. I have played many games, and I hope to play many more.

"I've remained available, but selection is not something you are owed or think you deserve.

"It is something if you are playing well enough and the people involved in the future of South African rugby decide you can play a role in what's coming, then certainly I would like to be a part of that.

"All I can do is play the best I can for Clermont for the next year and a half while I am contracted there, and see what the future brings."

South Africa field nine of their World Cup final team against Wales, but Smit believes autumn events in France must be consigned to history.

He added: "Probably the most important thing to do now is just forget about the World Cup. It's in the past.

"We worked hard to achieve it, and now it's about what lies ahead.

"There are many more challenges coming for South Africa, and the sooner we forget about the World Cup, the sooner we will be able to move forward.

"The responsibility that comes from having won it and having gained the ranking of world number one is something we need to work on on a daily basis.

"And that's where things start this weekend. There is more responsibility now."

Smit's fellow World Cup star Bryan Habana, meanwhile, has led the tributes to White, declaring: "He has taken us on an unbelievable journey.

"Jake brought us back from the depths of despair in 2003 and put a few traditions back into place.

"He has left the Springbok team in a better state than he received it.

"As any player or coach wants to do, you definitely want to leave something behind that is worth leaving behind.

"One of the most important things Jake brought back was the ethics.

"In the Springboks code of conduct, it says you always put the Springbok team above your own ambition, and that was something every player involved over the last four years has stuck to and believed in.

"It is something so special, and something I would not like to see lost in the future."

And Smit added: "It has been an incredibly enjoyable four years.

"From the start, we really felt he was bringing structure and an ability for us to turn things around and take the Springboks to where they belong.

"It is a sad moment now, having come to the end of the road.

"The repayment was being able to fulfil the expectation he had himself and the expectation he put on us in terms of being able to win the World Cup this year.

"This game, hopefully, will be a celebration of what Jake has given to South Africa for the last four years."

Sporting Life / Eurosport