Cape Town - The Cheetahs are doing everything within their powers to try and stop loose forward Juan Smith from moving to France.

Smith has fully recovered from an Achilles injury, and is apparently close to signing a deal with French club Bayonne. English club Bath is also eager to sign the 31-year-old.

Smith was not among the nine loose forwards - Marnus Schoeman, Justin Downey, Leon Karemaker, Lappies Labuschagné, Davon Raubenheimer, Tertuis Daniller, Philip van der Walt, Heinrich Brüssow and Boom Prinsloo - recently named in the Cheetahs' provisional 2013 Super Rugby squad.

However, coach Naka Drotské on Sunday confirmed to the Volksblad website that they are trying to convince Smith to stay on in Bloemfontein.

Business interests in Bloemfontein could play a part in Smith's final decision.

Smith hasn't played since he got injured playing Super Rugby for the Cheetahs against the Bulls in February 2011, while the last of his 69 Tests for the Springboks was against England at Twickenham in November 2010.