Smith enjoyed some advantages en route to breaking Allan Border's world record of 93 matches as Test captain. He captained South Africa after playing just eight Tests and 31 first-class matches. He was helped by the resignation of Shaun Pollock as captain and daring decisions by South African administrators.
Smith wasn't even a leader of South African 'A' team or his state Western Province. Those teams were led by Daryll Cullinan and Gary Kirsten respectively with Hashim Amla being his team-mate. What could have helped Smith is his lack of proximity with players who were unhappy with some of the selectorial issues in SA cricket.
If M S Dhoni's 148 vs. Pakistan in Vizag in April 2005 and unbeaten 183 vs. Sri Lanka in Jaipur in October 2005 (both in ODIs) were instrumental in raising his stakes, so did Smith's 183 in the Super Sport final against Border in March 2001 and his other four tons in first-class cricket.
His results as Test captain are amazing: he has won a series against all teams AWAY except India (three attempts) and Sri Lanka (one attempt). None of his 24 Test hundreds have come in a losing cause. He has won 48 Tests as captain with 26 draws and 26 defeats. Of his 48 Test wins as captain, 22 have been recorded in foreign conditions. Post Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, he was the first captain to taste Test series triumph Down Under in 2008-09. And repeated the win last year to make it two in a row.
Even if you have a good team and great bowling attack, a captain has to perform to keep his place in the team. And more importantly, to win and retain respect of his team-mates. Smith has handled that pressure remarkably well for 36 series over 10 years. The weak-hearted soul can't survive this test.
Smith is a no nonsense, ruthless chap. Somewhat misunderstood, such characters don't win popularity polls. But they understand quite well that results matter, though the recent doping issues in cycling constantly remind us that winning is not the only thing.
Smith and his gray matter means SA are slowly travelling from underachievers to world-beaters. His style of leadership may not win plaudits. He may not be called a batting legend in Test cricket due to certain ugliness attached to his style of batting. But his leadership style and work environment will continue to provide guiding light for generations to come.
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