Appendix flattens Goosen
Springbok Johan Goosen's hopes of a comeback for the year-end tour has been dashed.
The Bloemfontein-based Volksblad newspaper reports that the 21-year-old has undergone surgery to remove an inflamed appendix.
This comes just a day after the Bok management had expressed hope that the talented Free State pivot would recover in time, after damaging his knee in a freak training ground accident on the Australasian leg of the Cheetahs' Super Rugby tour.
Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts had hoped that Goosen would get some game time in the Currie Cup, before he can considered for the end of year tour.
However, the latest setback means Goosen won't feature on the playing field till next year.
Goosen, considered one of the brightest up-and-coming players in South Africa and known for his excellent goal-kicking and distribution skills, would have started training with the Cheetahs this week.
* Meanwhile Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské received some good news, according to Volksblad.
Lock Francois Uys is available for the first time this season after suffering a fractured arm and could feature in the crunch Currie Cup match against Western Province in Bloemfontein on Friday.