Juan Smith has been ruled out of rugby till next year with a knee injury. Juan, who seems to have taken over the sicknote disease from Andre Pretorius, missed the final Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Wellington with a lower back/hamstring injury, he also sat out the Cheetahs’ 13-24 Currie Cup loss to the Sharks at the weekend.

To make matter worse, taking this forced break he suffered a freak accident on his farm!

Cheetahs assistant coach Hawies Fourie on Monday confirmed earlier reports that the 28-year-old loose forward will miss the remainder of the Currie Cup season. “He damaged his medial knee ligaments,” Fourie said, adding: “He will only be able to play in the Super 14 again next year.”

He also said: “Yes, it is a big blow, as he would certainly have provided us with an additional line-out option.”

Well Hawies, not only will he be missed at the Cheetahs, he will also be missed on the end of year tour. Without him there the balance of the back three just does not look the same.

Wish him a speedy recovery and hope to seem him at his storming best next season…