Juan Smith Gone

[PaarlBok]

Sad to see the gentle giant not making it to the big event
Sport24

Juan Smith out of World Cup

Cape Town - The Springboks have received a massive blow with the news that star flank Juan Smith will not be available for the World Cup.

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Smith has not sufficiently recovered from an injured Achilles and has therefore withdrawn himself from the South Africa's World Cup squad.

"I am not 100%," an emotional Smith told the 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 must stop lying to myself - what I've been doing these last three weeks - and realise that I'm not ready," said Smith.

This is a huge blow for Smith, as he would have had the opportunity of playing in three World Cup's after he represented South Africa at the 2003 and 2007 tournaments.

Smith said he endured immense pain in the last while, but still carried hopes of being ready in time for the showpiece in New Zealand.

"The pain-level that I have been practicing with, was seven out of ten, which means I had to endure a lot," said Smith.

Smith says from the first day he sustained the injury he was very positive and tried everything within his ability to go to the World Cup.

"I really cannot describe how disappointed I am...immensely," said Smith.

Smith will soon undergo an operation and will then focus on returning for the Cheetahs in next year's Super Rugby tournament.

Good to see he'll be back for his beloved Tin Ears, next year and hopefull for the Bokke.

This will open the door for the likes of Willem Alberts and Jean Deysel.

 

[Hawko]

Sad to see the gentle giant not making it to the big event
Sport24

Good to see he'll be back for his beloved Tin Ears, next year and hopefull for the Bokke.

This will open the door for the likes of Willem Alberts and Jean Deysel.

As I posted on the injuries thread, this is the player SA needed most if they were to keep Bill. He is as important to the Boks as McCaw is to the Darkness. Terribly bad luck for him, disaster for the Boks.

 

[PaarlBok]

I dont see it as such a big disaster. We have some real depth in the flank position and life sure go on. FW de Klerk thought the same think and Mandela just took over and we still is alive in SA. Personally I think this will make oyr 6,7,8 positions a bit easier. Myself would love to see Brussouw, Schalk and Alberts in that positions , sure Spies will feel a bit more safer now. He had a good test against the Wallabies and hope he do the same this weekend against the All Blacks. Brussouw will be a much bigger lost if he will go out of WC selection.

 

[Ruggo]

Sad for the big fella. He is a gentleman of the game.

It really has been a shit couple of years for him.

 

[Blue]

Farkityfark.

The way Spies played last week he will remain at 8.

Will be interesting to see if they start Chalk and Brussow together.

 

[PaarlBok]

At least Juan earned his gold in the 2007 WC effort. Myself think a player like Jean de Villiers will be a bit worried at this stage of proceedings. He sure was unluckily regarding past WC tournaments.

 

[PaarlBok]

Farkityfark.

The way Spies played last week he will remain at 8.

Will be interesting to see if they start Chalk and Brussow together.

That what I want to see, Schalk/Brussouw/Bakkies/Battleship starting. You can go to war with them.

 

[DPK]

Farkityfark.

The way Spies played last week he will remain at 8.

Will be interesting to see if they start Chalk and Brussow together.

If Shalk bounces back, this would be a fearsome backrow, even if Spies goes missing.

 

[whatty]

Gutted for him!!!! But not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[PaarlBok]

We had a lot of flak and talk about Snor and injured Bokke and camps and C teams not very long ago.

His view on Juan
Sport24

Looseforward Juan Smith will not be considered for the Springbok Rugby World Cup squad because of injury. Smith made the decision to rule himself out of contention on Wednesday and informed Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.

“Juan had been in a race against time to be fit and we were keen to give him every opportunity to prove himself available,” said de Villiers on Thursday.

“He is understandably very disappointed – as are we – but he has made the right decision. A fully fit Juan Smith would have been an enormous asset to our campaign and he 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. Out of respect for a great Springbok, we wanted to leave the door open until the last moment for him.”

The 69-Test veteran injured his Achilles in a Vodacom Super Rugby match for the Toyota Cheetahs in February.

Smith said: “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. I’d been trying to tell myself that I’d come right but that wasn’t going to happen.

"This is a huge blow to me. The Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle of any player’s career and I was looking forward to our attempt to become the first team to win the title in successive tournaments.”

The Springbok Rugby World Cup squad will be announced live on SuperSport 1 from 19h30 on Tuesday, August 23.

 

[naza]

As I posted on the injuries thread, this is the player SA needed most if they were to keep Bill. He is as important to the Boks as McCaw is to the Darkness. Terribly bad luck for him, disaster for the Boks.

Wholeheartedly agreed. Best player in the world for mine. The guy is phenomenal and is invaluable to the Boks - he's the glue. A big loss and a true shame not to have such a masterful player at the RWC.

 

[Blue]

Being touted as next Bok captain by some.

At 30 it could be a bit late.

 

[DPK]

How long will Smith hang around? He's so committed to the Cheetahs, so will he play there until he physically can't?

 

[Train Without a Station]

Huge loss for the Bokke. I think he really showed his value to them when he returned from injury last year. Phenomenal player. Probably one of those types that you really notice more when they aren't there, then when they are. Plus did he push that dickhead ref into Schalk last year too?

 

[PaarlBok]

Good news from Juan. Will be back in the Springbok jersey. maybe captain aswell
Sport24

But after being ruled out the tournament in New Zealand, the Free Stater has decided he wants to keep on playing for the Springboks.

"I talked to quickly (about retiring) and I would like to play for the Boks for another year or two.

"This year out of rugby has given me heaps of time to recuperate," said Smith.

 

[Braveheart81]

So he's going to play Juan more year?


Sorry everyone.

 

[PaarlBok]

So he's going to play Juan more year?


Sorry everyone.

No he wont play in the WC but will return next year.

 

[Richo]

I think something was lost in translation there, PB.