A Springbok forward has been ruled out for the rest of the year.
Kwagga Smith suffered a serious knee injury while playing for the Shizuoka Blue Revs against the Canon Eagles on 9 May.
According to News24, the 32-year-old loose forward faces six months on the sidelines.
It is a major blow for the Springboks ahead of a demanding international season that includes four Tests against the All Blacks in the Greatest Rivalry series.
RG: Latest injury ‘a bit of a sh*t one’
Smith joins a growing Bok injury list that includes lock RG Snyman, flank Deon Fourie and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach.
The loss of Fourie and Smith are particularly significant as their versatility allows the Boks to go with a forward-heavy split on the bench.
Fourie can also play hooker, while Smith covers the backline as a hybrid.
Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
