It ain't over until the fat lady sings. That was the message John Smit more or less dished out to critics who believe the Bok skipper's days are numbered at Test level.

With a year to go until the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Smit has had to fend off suggestions that he's over the hill and that perhaps the time has come to hand the captaincy armband to someone new.

This comes at a time where the struggling Springboks are facing a fifth consecutive defeat when they host Australia in Pretoria on Saturday. A Test success cannot come soon enough for Smit and his troops, who prop up the table with a meagre one bonus point after three losses to the All Blacks and one to the Wallabies.

Another reverse and under-fire coach Peter de Villiers will match the record of predecessor Jake White, who stopped a five-game losing streak with a one-point win over the All Blacks that saved his job.

That win came at Rustenburg in 2006 and one year later the Springboks were raising the Rugby World Cup trophy at Stade de France after defeating reigning champions England 15-6 in an all-penalty goal affair.

The Boks are now in a similar position, and Smit has made it clear that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank to soldier on until next year's World Cup when answering fans' questions in the Springbok E-zine.

"I have been asked that question many times as you can imagine! I feel good and if I am injury free I am confident that I can play at the World Cup next year," he said.

"Being able to play Test rugby should be enough motivation for any player. As players we never own the jersey, we are only the custodians of the jersey. Each and every Test match I play is an honour and a privilege.

"I always say to younger players that they must play every Test match as if it was their last. There are tough times and it is never easy when you lose but you have to believe in yourself, your team-mates and your coaches.

"We must also realise that there will always be criticism, because so many people have different opinions. We respect these but I have learnt to never take things too much to heart. I am fortunate that I have a very supportive family, especially my wife without whom I may not have achieved what I have."