Rugby: Springbok flank Juan Smith forced to retire

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Springbok flank and 2007 World Cup winner Juan Smith was forced to retire on Monday after the recurrence of an Achilles injury that had sidelined him for two years before his unsuccessful return this month.

Smith told the Volksblad newspaper that he had been forced to end his career because of the results of a scan after he hurt himself again in a Super 15 warm-up game this weekend.

Smith made his return for the Cheetahs just over a week ago but hurt himself again in Saturday's match against the Bulls.

Volksblad said Smith made the decision to finally give up after the results of the scan came back on Monday.