Springbok loose forward Juan Smith needs to pass a fitness test before he will be considered to play for the Free State Cheetahs against the Pumas on Saturday.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers released Smith to the Cheetahs on Monday to get some much needed game time before the Rugby World Cup.
Smith has been undergoing rehabilitation on his injured Achilles and is in a struggle against time to be fit for the showpiece in New Zealand.
According to the Volksblad newspaper, the Bok flank will undergo a fitness test in Bloemfontein on Wednesday morning, which will determine whether Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské will include him in the squad to face the Pumas.
Smith has been training with the Free State side since Monday, but Drotské won’t take any chances unless his flank ace passes the fitness test.
If declared fit to play, Smith will in all likelihood be included as a substitute.
Boom Prinsloo will replace Ashley Johnson in the starting line-up after Johnson was called up into the Springbok squad.
Prinsloo – who has recovered from concussion – will form the loose trio with Johan Wessels and Lappies Labuschagné.
If Smith fails his fitness test, Pieter Myburgh will take his place on the bench.