Juan Smith undergoes furthe surgery

Ex Keo

Juan Smith had to undergo follow-up surgery on his troubling Achilles on Wednesday, which will only see him return to training in two to three weeks time.

This was the 30-year-old’s fourth operation since picking up the injury during last year’s Super Rugby tournament. The Springbok flanker, who was then forced to miss the World Cup, is now back on crutches and will now miss the Cheetahs’ away leg of the upcoming Super Rugby campaign as he’s back on crutches. The Bloemfontein franchise will face the Brumbies (10 March), Rebels (18 March), Crusaders (24 March) and Hurricanes (31 March) on the road Down Under.

The recent operation came after Smith visited a specialist in Pretoria. He still felt pain during a jog and after a scan was taken, it was decided that surgery was needed to improve the recovery process.

‘Juan recovered well from the main operation that he had on both tendons last year and looked pretty good even before the World Cup,’ Cheetahs managing director Harold Verster told keo.co.za. ‘But there were complications that came up. While the right leg recovered 100%, there were problems with Juan’s left heel. Surgery had to be taken recently to help with his full recovery. It’s not serious though and he’ll be back on his feet in about three weeks time.’

Verster added that the Cheetahs boast depth in the loose forward department and will cope during Smith’s absence. Philip van der Walt and Davon Raubenheimer are set to compete for the No 7 jersey.

Well lets hope Juan makes a full recovery and can lead the Cheetahs to greater hights this season. Thereafter can he make it back for the Boks is the question.  

Sadly, it will be the end of a great player's career.

Its a pity.....the Cheetahs needed him. It also removes the only alternative to Schalk being appointed Bok captain.

I wrote on a different board at the time, to win a WC, a team needs luck, the Bok's bad luck started when Juan Smith failed to make the squad. He is a giant amongst greats.

I dont know if it is as gloomy as all that as they say he will be back in three weeks and hence it must be pretty minor surgery.  However Becs went into a long account of why the Achilles tendon injury can be serious and difficult to cure- I think she said she had an achilles injury.

Yes Juan was/is a great player and one can only wish him well. My honest opinion though is that he will have his hands full to regain his Bok spot. In his favour, presuming he does recover, is the fact that he is well rested from the game. All the niggles will be gone and he will be hungry to play. Could come back with a burst. All depends on his recovery. 4 ops though show this is a bit complicated to get right 

I believe Schlak will make a good captain. Great palyer , experienced, respected by his fellows, articulate, nice manner about him and clealry has abrain on his shoulders. Smit backed him for the job and he should know if anyone does. Meyer also has the nous to not appoint a dummy.

Obviously if Juan gets fit and earns his place back he can also be considered. I rember years ago calling for Juans to b ethe Bok 7 and h ehas reapid that faith. However he has serious competition we have guys like Alberts, Vermuelen , Josh, Spies, Burger, Brussouw , Francois Louw all vying for a spot.  Guys like Minnie are also coming along etc etc.

Who will Meyer settle on? How wil he build his pack? Huge season for players this is. Bok spots are up for grabs.

The end of career? Certainly not, but he does need time to recover fully. Too many players are rushed back far too early. How much damage was done last year trying to get Juan to play? Those idiots would have played him regardless. Just like they did Adi in 2009 and Du Preez!! Peter and his stooges would play their players into an early grave if they could.

Beeno, we have very few players of Juan's calibur. Noone in the world has genuinely been up to Juan's standards for too long. Louw blew his chance, there is virtually noone else.

Well we can assess all this afresh if Juan gets fit again. One thing for sure the cupboard if full as far as loose forwards are concerned.

The Springboks should now be looking at younger talent and build a new team then one day they will be able to beat the All Blacks again.