Smith was one of the heroes in the Highlanders' 21-14 win over the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night.
His side became the first team to win the Super rugby title after not winning its conference since the competition went to the expanded format in 2011.
It was also the first time since 1999 that a team outside the top two on the table at the end of the regular season has gone on to win the title.
Smith was, naturally enough, an elated captain after the match, and found it difficult to put his emotions into words.
''I'm just really proud of the team. I don't know how to describe it. We've created something special this year and I'm proud to be part of it,'' he said.
''We knew right from the start we had something special. Along the way, people started to believe. We talk about brotherhood, all being good mates and just doing it for each other. We have really wanted it to do it for each other.''
Coach Jamie Joseph was ''over the moon'' about the victory and felt the two games his side had played over the previous couple of weeks - wins over the Chiefs and Waratahs - had stood it in good stead going into Saturday night's final.
''The fact was we had had two hard games over the past two weeks and that was a point of difference and we went into this match really fresh with no injuries. The preparation could have helped us tonight,'' Joseph said.
''But we've got an incredible bunch of rugby players who want to do well. Who cares about the travel? You start talking about fatigue and you start getting tired. We do not do that in our team. Ben and Nasi [Manu] drive everything in front.
''Those games put us in a good spot. It came down to crucial moments and we had been there before. They were two really tough games and they gave us some confidence.''
Joseph said the final was looking like breaking open in the first half but the Highlanders hung tough.
''I was getting tired just watching the game because of the first 40 minutes. It was really threatening to open up. But we defended desperately. We got a couple of chances and we took them.
''Elliot Dixon's try was a really good momentum swing for us. We were off on our feet for the last part of that half.''
Joseph did not say much at halftime to his players. He just wanted them to keep kicking and have faith in their defence.
''There was a time there when it seemed like it was starting to slip away from us. But a real credit to the heart and soul of our team, who were our leaders.
''They really stood up.''
He paid tribute to his hard working forward pack, a tight five which toiled all game, a battered Manu and the ticker of Alex Ainley, who had a sore knee.
Joseph had previously coached Wellington but he played for Otago and felt it was time for success in the Highlanders region.
''It's been a long time for some real success in the deep south. It will mean a hell of a lot to the region.''
