The Cheetahs’ inspirational captain JUan Smith is set to miss South Africa’s defence of the World Cup, after he tore an Achilles tendon.
rugby365
Smith, who left the field inside the first two minutes of the Cheetahs 23-25 loss to the Bulls in Bloemfontein on Friday, will undergo surgery early next week.
He is likely to be sidelined for between six to nine months, almost certainly ruling him out of the World Cup in New Zealand in September and October.
Cheetahs backline coach Hawies Fourie confirmed the bad news on Saturday, adding that fellow flank Frans Viljoen tore his hamstring and also faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“We’ve had a really bad run,” Fourie said, adding: “With Juan, Adriaan and Frans Viljoen all long-term injuries.
“It is really tough when you lose three such quality players in one week.”
Smith, who is likely to undergo surgery on Monday or Tuesday, had just returned from a calf strain which ruled him out of the Cheetahs’ opening round loss to the Sharks.
He also went through a tough 2010, missing most of the year through injuries and personal problems.
The exact length of his lay-off will only be determined once he goes under the knife.
“It will be a lengthy lay-off,” Fourie said, adding: “I can’t say how long, but those type of injuries are usually [a lay-off of between] six to nine months.
“Yes, there is a chance that he could miss the World Cup.”
The length of Viljoen’s lay-off still has to be determined as well, but it looks like four to six weeks with a torn hamstring.
The Cheetahs lost another key player, and captain, earlier this week.
Springbok hooker and stand-in captain Adriaan Strauss underwent surgery to repair the damage to a fractured bone in his hand.
He will be sidelined for between four to six weeks.
A huge loss for Boks. I really feel for Juan. Such a loyal Cheetah supporter too.
Think Alberts will be the front runner for that position. Just needs to stay injury free.
We have enough good loosies…..just the combinations worry me. Alberts doesn’t have the lineout capability, but perhaps he is the form candidate. He would fit in with Schalk and Pierre…..what about Brussow, or have we got over our pathological and sometimes unreasonable desire for a “fetcher”.
Pietman….praat met my….hoe gaan dit met “Wollie”….ek het n e-pos van Tony hulle gekry maar kan hulle nie bereik op die foon….100mm binne halfuur, ek was bekommerd.
ok no ones talking to me…I’m outta here.
flip dis n helse slag, die bokke het nou enige realistiese kans wat hulle gehad het verloor dammmmmm
@ 4man:2 – 4man, Yeah just said that right now on another thread. We will miss Juan in the lineouts. Huge loss.
Juan is goed, maar om te wil opgee op die World Cup oor hy nie speel nie is malligheid. Ons het meer as genoeg goeie losvoorspelers om die World Cup te wen. En wanneer Brussow terug is en hy perform in die Super 15, moet hy voor Schalk Willem Overrated Petrus Burger gekies word. Ouens soos Schalk speel op reputasie, nes Habana. Van den Heever moes na laasjaer se Super 15 finaal (nadat hy van sy besering recover het) die nr. 1 keuse vir die Bokke op regter vleuel gewees het.
@ vanStraaten:
Van den heever=overrated karperd flip n dikgat agste man en n partime vleul het hom op sy neus laat kyk nee wat hy is net wind
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