Cape Town - Springbok flank Juan Smith has left the country to undergo medical tests at French club Toulon, which could see him make a return to rugby.
Smith, 32, earlier this year retired from rugby after an ongoing Achilles injury which plagued him since the start of 2011.
According to the Volksblad website, Smith and his agent Stephan Weyers was spotted at OR Tambo airport on Sunday where they boarded for Toulon.
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The 69-Test veteran, who underwent several operations since 2011, retired after playing only two warm-up games against the Bulls and Stormers earlier this year.
It is not known if he has since gone under the knife again but he has reportedly been working hard in the gymnasium and is not suffering any discomfort.
Smith will undergo medical tests at Toulon on Monday, and should he pass them, he could sign a deal with the French side by Wednesday.
There he will join up with fellow South Africans Bakkies Botha (lock), Bryan Habana (wing), Joe van Niekerk (loose forward), Danie Rossouw (utility forward) and Michael Claassens (scrumhalf).
Smith, 32, earlier this year retired from rugby after an ongoing Achilles injury which plagued him since the start of 2011.
According to the Volksblad website, Smith and his agent Stephan Weyers was spotted at OR Tambo airport on Sunday where they boarded for Toulon.
GALLERY: Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture day
VIDEO: Tip tackle on JJ Engelbrecht
The 69-Test veteran, who underwent several operations since 2011, retired after playing only two warm-up games against the Bulls and Stormers earlier this year.
It is not known if he has since gone under the knife again but he has reportedly been working hard in the gymnasium and is not suffering any discomfort.
Smith will undergo medical tests at Toulon on Monday, and should he pass them, he could sign a deal with the French side by Wednesday.
There he will join up with fellow South Africans Bakkies Botha (lock), Bryan Habana (wing), Joe van Niekerk (loose forward), Danie Rossouw (utility forward) and Michael Claassens (scrumhalf).