Reports say South Africa flanker Juan Smith has been ruled out for the entire Super 15 rugby season and may miss the World Cup after tearing his Achilles tendon.
The Super 15 website, quoting Cheetahs sources, says Smith will be sidelined for the next six to nine months. Smith would also miss the Tri-Nations, and possibly the World Cup in New Zealand in September.
Cheetahs captain Smith left the field just two minutes into his first game of the season against the defending champion Bulls in round two of the Super 15 on Friday. The report says he will have surgery early next week. The 69-times capped Smith, a World Cup winner in 2007, passed a late fitness test on an ankle injury before the match.