30 September 2026
The 10bet Lions have locked down a vital piece of their tactical backbone. Flyhalf Chris Smith has signed a three-year contract extension, anchoring his future at Doornfontein until 2029.
The 32-year-old playmaker has enjoyed a rapid ascendancy since arriving at 10bet Ellis Park from French outfit Oyonnax last July. Lovingly dubbed "The General" by the local faithful, Smith has evolved from a reliable provincial boot into the undisputed driver of the Lions' attacking ship.
Smith’s right boot proved decisive during the 2025/26 United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign, where he accumulated 154 points to secure the prestigious Golden Boot Award. His clinical accuracy off the tee pinned opposition sides deep in their own territory and laid the platform for the franchise's historic charge to the playoff quarter-finals.
The pivot carried that supreme form straight into the new season. He slotted a perfect five-from-five conversions against the touring All Blacks last month, before dictating terms with a 12-point masterclass to sink reigning champions Leinster 27-19 in Saturday's URC opener.