{{Short description|South African rugby union player}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox rugby union biography | name = Rayn Smid | image = | fullname = <!--if different--> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|03|26}} | birth_place = Cape Town, South Africa | height = {{height|m=1.93}} | weight = {{convert|107|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}} | nickname = | occupation = | school = Rondebosch Boys' High School | university = University of South Africa | relatives = | position = Number Eight | currentclub = Ealing | youthyears1 = 2008–2013 | youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Western Province}} | years1 = 2013–2015 | clubs1 = {{Rut|Western Province}} | apps1 = 25 | points1 = 45 | years2 = 2014 | clubs2 = → I Cavalieri | apps2 = 3 | points2 = 0 | years3 = 2015–2016 | clubs3 = Bristol | apps3 = 9 | points3 = 0 | amatyears1 = 2012 | amatteam1 = {{Rut|UCT Ikey Tigers}} | amatapps1 = 5 | amatpoints1 = 25 | clubupdate = 30 December 2016 }}

'''Rayn Smid''' (born 26 March 1992 in Cape Town) is a South African rugby union player, who plays for Ealing.<ref name="SARU Player Profile Rayn Smid">{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=45002 | name=Rayn Smid | date=29 May 2016}}</ref> His regular position is number eight or flanker.

==Career==

===Youth and Varsity Cup rugby===

He represented {{Rut|Western Province}} at various youth competitions. In 2008, he played for their Under-16 side at the Grant Khomo Week tournament; in 2009, he played for their Under-18 side at the Academy Week tournament and in 2010, he played for the Under-18s at the Craven Week tournament. He played for the {{Rut|Western Province U19}} side in the 2011 Under-19 Provincial Championship competition and for the {{Rut|Western Province U21}} side in the Under-21 Provincial Championship in 2012 and 2013,<ref name="SARU Player Profile Rayn Smid"/> helping them to winning the competition in 2013<ref name="DHL Western Province 30-23 Vodacom Blue Bulls">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=110854 | homeid=15244 | awayid=15294 | leagueid=1434 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=30 | awayscore=23 | awayteam=Vodacom Blue Bulls | matchdate=26 October 2013 | date=2 December 2016}}</ref> as vice-captain of the side.

He also played for the {{Rut|UCT Ikey Tigers}} during the 2012 Varsity Cup competition,<ref name="SA Rugby Squad – UCT : 2012 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International">{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=10591 | team=UCT | compid=1071 | comp=2012 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International | accessdate=3 June 2016}}</ref> scoring five tries in five appearances,<ref name="SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2012 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International">{{SA Rugby Try Scorers | id=1071 | comp=2012 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International | date=5 May 2016}}</ref> four of those tries coming in their match against the {{Rut|TUT Vikings}}.<ref name="TUT 2-66 UCT">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=101891 | homeid=10551 | awayid=10591 | leagueid=1071 | hometeam=TUT | homescore=2 | awayscore=66 | awayteam=UCT | matchdate=20 February 2012 | date=2 December 2016}}</ref>

===Western Province===

He was first included in the {{Rut|Western Province}} senior side for the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition.<ref name="SA Rugby Squad – DHL Western Province : 2013 Vodacom Cup">{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=11624 | team=DHL Western Province | compid=1164 | comp=2013 Vodacom Cup | accessdate=3 June 2016}}</ref> His first class debut came in their opening match of the season against near neighbours {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}.<ref name="Regent Boland Cavaliers 17-17 DHL Western Province">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=103794 | homeid=11704 | awayid=11624 | leagueid=1164 | hometeam=Regent Boland Cavaliers | homescore=17 | awayscore=17 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=9 March 2013 | date=2 December 2016}}</ref> He scored his first senior try in their next match, at home to the {{Rut|Sharks XV}} and eventually started all nine of Western Province's matches during the competition.

His first appearance in the Currie Cup came a few months later, during the 2013 Currie Cup competition. He started the match against {{Rut|Griquas}} following a late injury to Rynhardt Elstadt,<ref name="DHL Western Province 19-13 GWK Griquas">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=107114 | homeid=12614 | awayid=12624 | leagueid=1294 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=19 | awayscore=13 | awayteam=GWK Griquas | matchdate=20 September 2013 | date=2 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="WP show grit to edge Griquas">{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/WP-show-grit-to-edge-Griquas-20130920 | title=WP show grit to edge Griquas | publisher=Sport24 | date=20 September 2013 | access-date=29 November 2013}}</ref> which was his only appearance in the competition.

He was also included in the {{Rut|Stormers}} wider training squad for the 2014 Super Rugby season.<ref name="Contracted players kick-off preparations">{{cite web | url=http://thestormers.com/contracted-players-kick-off-preparations/ | title=Contracted players kick-off preparations | publisher=The Stormers | date=26 November 2013 | access-date=26 November 2013}}</ref>

At the end of 2014, Smid joined Italian side I Cavalieri on a short-term deal. He made two appearances for them in the 2014–2015 National Championship of Excellence and one in the 2015 Trophy of Excellence<ref name="Rayn Smid - Gli Scudieri dei Cavalieri">{{cite web | url=http://www.gliscudieri.it/en/cavalieri/rayn_smid | title=Rayn Smid | work=Gli Scudieri dei Cavalieri | access-date=6 August 2015 | language=it}}</ref> before returning to Cape Town prior to the 2015 Vodacom Cup competition.

===Bristol Rugby===

On 24 September 2015, English RFU Championship side Bristol announced that Smid would join them for the 2015–16 season.<ref name="Rayn Smid Agrees Bristol Switch">{{cite press release | url=http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/news/10882/rayn-smid-agrees-bristol-switch/ | title=Rayn Smid Agrees Bristol Switch | publisher=Bristol Rugby | date=24 September 2015 | access-date=29 September 2015}}</ref> He made eight appearances for them during the 2015–16 season,<ref name="Rayn Smid - Bristol Rugby">{{cite web | url=http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/team/first-team-squad/rayn-smid/ | title=Rayn Smid - Bristol Rugby | work=Bristol Rugby | access-date=30 December 2016 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827152547/http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/team/first-team-squad/rayn-smid/ | archive-date=27 August 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> but made just a single appearance for them in 2016–17,<ref name="Rugby - Player statistics - club stats">{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_28120.html | title=Rugby – Player statistics – club stats | work=It's Rugby | access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref> before leaving the club by mutual consent at the end of 2016.<ref name="Hawkins Pens Extension Until End Of Campaign">{{cite press release | url=http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/news/hawkins-pens-extension-until-end-of-campaign | title=Hawkins Pens Extension Until End of Campaign | publisher=Bristol Rugby | date=30 December 2016 | access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref>

===Ealing Trailfinders===

In January 2017 Smid joined the RFU Championship side Ealing Trailfinders, where he currently plays.<ref>{{Cite web|title=player|url=http://www.ealingtrailfinders.com/team/professional-squad/player/rayn-smid|access-date=2021-10-25|website=www.ealingtrailfinders.com}}</ref> Smid has enjoyed great success with the Trailfinders, appearing in almost every match since joining in 2017, frequently as captain. He was named to The Rugby Paper's Championship Dream Team for the 2018/19 season after scoring 11 tries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-11|title=TRP's Championship Dream Team XV 2018-19|url=https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/all/domestic-club-rugby-union/32726/trp-championship-dream-team-xv-2018-2019/|access-date=2021-10-25|website=The Rugby Paper|language=en-GB}}</ref>

==References==

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smid, Rayn}} Category:South African rugby union players Category:Living people Category:1992 births Category:Rugby union players from Cape Town Category:Alumni of Rondebosch Boys' High School Category:Stormers players Category:Bristol Bears players Category:Rugby union flankers Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in England Category:21st-century South African sportsmen Category:Ikey Tigers players