Matt Smith becomes South Africa’s first winter Olympian in years

Matt Smith, a 34-year-old from Cape Town, is set to make history as South Africa’s first cross-country skier at the Winter Olympics in over a decade. His unexpected rise marks a milestone for a country known for its rugby prowess rather than snowy sports.

Nicknamed the “Snowbok,” Smith secured a quota spot for Team South Africa at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Northern Italy, a remarkable achievement for an athlete who began cross-country…