News from the City Of Roses is that, one of the leading contenders to Captain the Springboks in 2012, Juan Smith, has not recovered from his injury and is on crutches once again.

The Cheetahs Springbok flank Juan Smith has undergone a follow-up operation to his Achilles but is expected to start training in two to three weeks’ time.

The Volksblad newspaper reports that Smith went for an operation in Pretoria on Wednesday, which has forced him back onto crutches, but Cheetahs team doctor Ian Morris says there’s no reason for concern.

While this setback will delay Smith’s comeback and could see him miss the Cheetahs’ overseas leg of the Super Rugby tournament, it will be beneficial for the flanker in the long run.

Morris is “positive and optimistic” that – despite this being Smith’s fourth operation – he is on his way back to the playing field.

Morris says Smith’s wounds must now heal before he could start practicing again in two or three weeks’ time.

Reports from Volksblad earlier in the week, which stated the flanker was on his way to the Cape to see a specialist were not true. He went to Pretoria instead.

Smith injured his Achilles in the Cheetahs first Super Rugby clash against the Bulls on 25 February last year. He started jogging again at the start of this year but went to see a specialist in Pretoria on Monday after still feeling some pain. A scan was done and the decision to operate was taken.

“The scan showed some visible tissue damage. It was decided to rather re-open and clean the wound again. Now he just has to recover from the operation and then we’ll look forward,” said Morris.