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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Smith has not sufficiently recovered from an injured Achilles and has therefore withdrawn himself from the South Africa's World Cup squad.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.
WIN your very own personalised Bok jersey
Click to BUY the Springbok kitchen recipe book
Smith has not sufficiently recovered from an injured Achilles and has therefore withdrawn himself from the South Africa's World Cup squad.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.
