South Africa flanker Juan Smith has confirmed he will miss next month's World Cup because of a long-standing Achilles problem.
Flanker unable to recover from long-standing Achilles injury
South Africa flanker Juan Smith has confirmed he will miss next month's World Cup because of a long-standing Achilles problem.
Smith, 30, underwent surgery on a torn Achilles tendon back in February and has still not recovered sufficiently to play a part in the Springboks' defence of their crown in New Zealand.
The back-rower has a total of 69 international caps and played a leading role in the 2007 World Cup success, which culminated in victory over England in Paris.
It is understood Smith requires further surgery and will not play again until 2012.
Not 100 percent
"I am not 100 percent," Smith told
Volksblad newspaper. "I won't be able to give everything and realise I should put my team, team-mates and the Bok fans first.
"I've worked very hard to get back on the training field but I'm still some way from full fitness and have been training with quite a lot of pain."
While not an unexpected development, South Africa coach Peter de Villiers admitted the news had still come as a blow.
"Juan had been in a race against time to be fit and we were keen to give him every opportunity to prove himself," stated De Villiers.
"A fully fit Juan Smith would have been an enormous asset to our campaign and this is a major disappointment.
"But it was obvious that he was still some way from full fitness and his decision confirms the advice of our medical team."
Smith originally sustained his injury whilst playing for club side Cheetahs in a Super Rugby match against the Bulls in February.
