JJ Smuts will represent Italy at the upcoming T20 World Cup despite never having set foot in the country, completing an unlikely international journey that has taken him from South Africa to a new stage at the age of 37.
Born in South Africa, the all-rounder qualified to play for Italy through his wife, Judy, and later secured Italian citizenship for his entire family. Smuts previously played international cricket for South Africa between 2017 and 2021, featuring in six one-day internationals and 16 T20 internationals.
His international career stalled amid fierce competition and structural issues within South African cricket, and Smuts eventually drifted out of contention. He insists that changing national allegiance was never part of a long-term plan and only became an option at his wife’s urging.
Even after committing to Italy, Smuts did not expect a return to the global stage.
“I never thought I would play in a World Cup, but I always tried to train at an international level so that I could give my best if the opportunity came,” he said.
Reflecting on his time with South Africa, Smuts believes that experience has prepared him for the challenge ahead.
“I didn’t play a lot of international cricket for South Africa, but I played enough to understand what it’s like. I did well in my last few matches, so I’ve brought that confidence with me to Italy,” he said. “I know what the international challenge is. I know how tough it can be, but I also know that I can still contribute here and perform well.”
For Italy, Smuts’ presence adds experience and belief as the side prepares for the biggest tournament in its cricketing history. For the player himself, it represents an unexpected second act, one that will unfold on the World Cup stage far from where his international career first began.
