South African rugby officials are refusing to rule Springbok flanker Juan Smith out of this year's World Cup.
The 29-year-old has undergone surgery after sustaining a partial tear of his Achilles tendon in the Cheetahs Super Rugby defeat to the Bulls last weekend.
It was initially feared that his Achilles had been completely torn, but Cheetahs doctor Ian Morris remains hopeful that a six month recovery period could see the 69-Test blindside up and running for the tournament in New Zealand.
