Cheetahs delay call on Smith

Cheetahs delay call on Smith

20 Nov 2012

The Cheetahs will make their final decision on signing Juan Smith in January.

Reports on Monday indicated that Smith had fully recovered from his Achilles injury that has restricted his playing time over the last two years. The flank last played for the Springboks in 2010 while he missed the entire 2012 season to focus on his rehabilitation.

The 32-year-old is currently considering several overseas offers, with French club Bayonne considered the favourite to land his signature.

However, Cheetahs head coach Naka Drotske said they will decide on persuading the player to stay in Bloemfontein in January, when he is set to undergo an extensive medical examination.

‘Juan is still working very hard with our conditioning coach,’ Drotske told keo.co.za. ‘He’s set to take a fitness test in January. If all things work out well, we will do our best to keep him in South Africa.’

Smith told this site in October: ‘Right now, I’m focused on my rehab. We’ll see how things go over the next few months. If a good deal comes my way, whether it’s from local or overseas teams, I’ll take it.’

By Gareth Duncan


10 Comments

  • 1.grant10: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2012, 08:26 am

    fingers crossed he comes through well and plays for Cheetahs..

  • 2.Kid_Senekal: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2012, 10:15 am

    Given that his test career is over he might as well go and play 2 seasons aborad. He can come back and consult with the Cheetahs…take the loosies under his wing – like he benefitted from playing under Andre Venter.

    He’s been such a great servant, he deserves some financial rewards.

  • 3.Slumtown: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2012, 10:30 am

    good to hear he´s back. Will be very interesting to see if he can regain any form

  • 4.Slumtown: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2012, 10:32 am

    seems like he may still have Bok aspirations – However, now that he is running “fairly freely” again there is a ray of hope that he can continue his career – which he believes can last another four to five years.

  • 5.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2012, 12:32 pm

    Juan was Great player, but WP are Currie Cup CHAMPS !!!

  • 6.STBUR: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2012, 12:51 pm

    Smith’s career might not be completely over. Given injuries he might be a very valuable squad member at some point. But as a given starting players? Yeah, that is probably over now.

  • 7.liefling: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2012, 15:54 pm

    How’s his kicking game?

  • 8.Stoetbul9: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2012, 15:54 pm

    Juan se rugby dae raak min. Gaan speel rugby oorsee en verdien goeie geld vir die volgende 2 tot 3 jaar. Hy gaan in elk geval nie in die volgende WB groep wees nie.
    En as hy oorsee goed genoeg speel kan hy nog steeds vir die Bokke gekies word.

  • 9.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2012, 17:34 pm

    @liefling-7: Top post :lol:

  • 10.skopdiekan: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2012, 17:39 pm

    @kaksioek-9: yeah on the button.. mooi so

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