Cheetahs flank faces lengthy spell on sidelines

Cheetahs coach Franco Smith confirmed that Britz, who injured his knee in his first match back from a hand injury, will undergo a scope on Wednesday.

It appears he has done some serious damage to his lateral collateral knee ligament in the team's 6-21 loss to the Waratahs in Sydney last Saturday.

While the full extent of the injury will only know after the scan, he is out for at least six weeks.

"It is a setback for Willie," Smith told rugby365, adding: "He had a fractured hand in the early part of the season. He returned for one match and now he is out injured again after just 60 minutes."

However, the good news is that fellow flank Paul Schoeman returns after he missed the Cheetahs' Super Rugby match against the Waratahs, following a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle against the Reds the week before.

However, the Cheetahs remain limited in terms of their loose forward resources – Gerhard Olivier and Johannes Prinsloo among those still on the sidelines.

"We always knew our depth would be tested, but we still have players like Oupa [Teboho Mohoje], Henco [Venter] and Uzair [Cassiem] – who are doing well," Smith said.

"There is also Niell Jordaan, who will run out for the Free State Cheetahs XV [in the Currie Cup qualifiers] and he will come into the selection frame soon as well.

"As far as loose forwards are concerned we are under pressure, but I am grateful that the players that are fit are using their opportunities."

The Cheetahs coach is also still waiting on a medical report on flyer Ryno Benjamin, who has been sidelined with a long-term calf injury.

"He has not recovered as well as we would like," Smith said.

The rest of the team that travelled to Australia for a three-match tour – which included defeats to the Rebels (14-36), Reds (17-30) and Waratahs (6-21) – are all available for their Round 12 encounter with the Southern Kings in Bloemfontein.

By Jan de Koning

@King365ed

@rugby365com