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Springbok flank Juan Smith has apparently suffered a setback in his recovery from a serious achilles injury sustained last year and has been withdrawn from the Cheetahs squad that is currently attending a week-long training camp in Jeffreys Bay.
The withdrawal came after Smith, who missed the majority of the 2011 season, including the World Cup, as a result of the injury, complained of pain in his ankle during training. The Cheetahs have described it as purely precautionary at this stage, although nothing is being left to chance, with the flanker set to have a scan in Bloemfontein before being flown to Cape Town to consults a specialist.
It was initially hoped that Smith would feature in the upcoming warm up fixtures, including the Cape Town clash against the Stormers; after the latest development, though, the big flanker is being pencilled in for a return against the Lions in the Super Rugby opener on 25 February.
Griquas loose forward Leon Karemaker has been added to the squad in Smith’s place.
Geez… hope he recovers in time. For the sake of the Bokke I mean.
Dam, he is so plagued by injuries, hope he recovers soon
This injury seems to be goin on for a year now, maybe if its not healed by now it never will…
Good luck Juan..
This must be the most agonising thing for a player to go through, wanting to be on the field so badly and being held back by injuries.
You have to feel for this man..
Juan Smith needs to move to a bigger union.
I am almost as torn as his achilles. I want Alberts to be our first choice for the boks but JS is also such a valuable player…
@mbay-shark (Comment 3) : I hope that is not the case. His experience can’t be ignored when it comes to National duty…although I’m not suggesting he gets selected on that bases alone. He will have to prove he still has what it takes.
@Farlington (Comment 7) : He really has to prove that he still has it, there are a lot of younger guys just as good at the moment.
More like for years now, can’t believe that more serious attentions has not been given to his injury…. Especially after his withdrawal to the WC…
But we don’t know all ye
Hope it’s nothing more than a niggle. Get well soon Juan!
@lostfish (Comment 5) : Don’t you DARE suggest he becomes a Shark.
I really feel for this guy
Get well soon boertjie.
@mbay-shark (Comment 3) : I’m inclined to agree with you. Once an Achilles is proper stuffed-up, it’s proper stuffed up for good.
@lostfish (Comment 5) : Juan Smith needs to retire while he can still walk and use his brain
@robdylan (Comment 14) : Maybe. He might fare better at a bigger union because he wouldn’t have to cover everyone else in the game. Look at Wilko at Newcastle and at how he has been able to concentrate on his own game at Toulon rather than trying to fill in all the gaps and getting injured all the time.
@lostfish (Comment 15) : aaah…. paying the price now for carrying the side on his own through about 5 super rugby campaigns
Too late to fix it now, though, IMO. I just hope they don’t make him Bok captain
@robdylan (Comment 14) : Agree 100%
@robdylan (Comment 14) : Maybe he should go play where the grass is a bit softer
You can be certain that even if he manages to “fix” this problem he is going to sit with it again during the S15.
@robdylan (Comment 14) : You know rugby players aren’t known/famous for their brains or thinking ability
@mbay-shark (Comment 19) : Especially if you combine being a Free Stater AND being a rugby player.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 20) : hahah you said it!
that is bad really i hope he recovers soon