South Africa's big BRU is no. 1 in the world

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When Jordy Smith paddles out to surf his semi-final heat tomorrow morning in Margaret River, Western Australia, he’ll be wearing the Championship Tour’s coveted yellow jersey. The South African won a tense quarter final in the dying minutes today to claim the number one spot on tour.

Better still, the WSL Margaret River Pro is the last of three contests that make up the ‘Aussie Treble.’ And South Africa’s big bru is the best-placed surfer to take away the grand prize for the Australian leg of the tour, which just so happens to be a brand-new GWM Tank SUV!

JORDY SMITH IS NO. 1

The large walls of Margaret River, Western Australia, provide the perfect canvas for Jordy Smith’s power surfing. Image: Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League

The 37-year old is having a stellar Championship Tour in 2025. He already took an emotional victory in El Salvador, and the tour veteran knows better than anyone that consistent points scoring across all events is the key to success.

In fact, Jordy Smith has not been ranked no. 1 in the world since 2017. And the closest he came to a world title was way back in 2010 and 2016, both times finishing runner up … First to surfing GOAT Kelly Slater, and John John Florence, in 2010 and 2016 respectively.

YELLOW JERSEY

Most of Jordy Smith’s closest competitors for the no. 1 spot fell out early in Western Australia. Image: Screen grab from WSL

Moreover, Jordy Smith is now the most experienced surfer on tour. And he’s putting in the sort of measured, yet commanding, performances only someone with nearly 20-years on tour can. This shone through in tricky conditions in his quarter final where he cut his hand on the shallow WA reef. And overlapping swell directions made picking the best waves an art form.

In the early hours of tomorrow morning (SA time), Jordy Smith will meet Crosby Colapinto for a shot at his second final appearance in 2025. Be sure to catch the action live on WSL’s YouTube channel. All South African surf fans can’t wait to see the big bru wearing the yellow jersey. Better still, here’s hoping he can hold onto yellow for the J-Bay Open taking place in July.

REST OF THE 2025 TOUR

all-South African surf final — Jordy Smith defeated fellow South African Matt McGillivray in the final of El Salvador Pro back in April. Image: File

Better still, the remainder of 2025 WSL Championship Tour sees four stops that suit the big regular footer’s style. Before the WSL Finals in Fiji, which sees the top five competitors on the rankings battle it out in winner-takes-all heats: �