Inside Springbok star Kwagga Smith’s vast Kareekraal guest farm in Dullstroom

• Springbok star Kwagga Smith, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, bought a trout farm near Dullstroom with his wife Ilke during the Covid-19 pandemic
• What started as a property project during the rugby shutdown has since grown into something much bigger for the Smith family
• The 200-hectare retreat now offers a glimpse into the very different life the Springbok is building away from the rugby field

Albertus Stephanus ‘Kwagga’ Smith has carved out a reputation as one of the Springboks’ most versatile and tireless forwards, but off the field, the two-time Rugby World Cup winner is quietly building something quite different in the hills of Mpumalanga.

Smith made his Springbok debut against Wales in 2018 after making a name for himself on the Blitzboks Sevens circuit.

His ability to play across multiple positions, combined with his pace and work rate, has kept him a consistent fixture in South Africa’s matchday squads. He plays club rugby in Japan for Yamaha Jubilo while maintaining his international commitments.

Where is Kareekraal Guest Farm?

Growing up between Lydenburg and Ohrigstad in Mpumalanga, Smith developed a deep connection to the outdoors from a young age, with farming and fishing woven into his upbringing. In 2017, he bought a small piece of land next to his father’s farm and planted pecan nuts, marking his first step into agriculture on his own terms.

Inside Kareekraal Guest Farm

When the Covid-19 pandemic halted professional rugby in 2020, Smith and his wife Ilke used the unexpected break to press ahead with a property they had already purchased near Dullstroom. Named Kareekraal, the farm spans roughly 200 hectares and came with an existing trout farming operation.

For about eight months, the couple threw themselves into the work. Smith spent his days labouring on the dams and helping construct three cottages, swapping training sessions for building work at altitude in Mpumalanga.

He took a particularly hands-on approach to the fishing side of things, deepening sections of the dams and adding underwater structures to create better habitat for the trout.

One dam now reaches approximately six metres deep. The results speak for themselves: Kareekraal has produced rainbow trout weighing up to 4.2kg and brown trout of up to 2.5kg.

Kareekraal guest accommodation

The three cottages have been developed into guest accommodation, each sleeping four people and featuring fireplaces and braai facilities.

Fly-fishing is a central drawcard for visitors, placing Kareekraal neatly within Dullstroom’s reputation as a premier outdoor and fishing destination.

Smith and Ilke divide the responsibilities between them, managing both the farming operation and the accommodation side of the business. The couple have also outlined plans to add three more cabins, which would bring the total capacity to around 30 guests.

For Smith, Kareekraal represents something professional sport simply cannot offer: a tangible investment with a life beyond rugby. He has described farming as a long-held dream and speaks about the satisfaction of building something of his own.

While he continues chasing silverware on the rugby field, Kareekraal is becoming the foundation of what Smith envisions for his future after the final whistle.

Inside Wilco Louw’s family background

We also highlighted facts about Springbok tighthead prop Wilco Louw’s deep family roots in the Cederberg, a rugged farming region in South Africa’s Western Cape.

The Stormers star has shared glimpses of his life away from rugby, including a photograph of himself on a tractor in Clanwilliam.

Source: TUKO.co.ke