The news came as part of a triple blow to the Bulls' hopes of fielding a full-fit side for their match on Saturday against the high-flying Southern Kings at Loftus Versfeld.

Smit had just returned to the field this past weekend for the Blue Bulls in their SuperSport Challenge quarterfinal match against the Sharks, but lasted only 10 minutes before he was forced to hobble off the field with the injury.

The Bok made his debut on the end-of-year tour last year, but tore a bicep in the process and has not played since.

There was some hope that he would return last week but it was decided to rather let him play for the Blue Bulls in order to get some much needed game time. But that only lasted 10 minutes and Smit now faces another battle to get back onto the field.

The injury is one of three that the Bulls have to deal with this week, as they also lost flyhalf Tony Jantjies to a rib injury early in the win over the Sharks.

Jantjies doesn’t look as if he will be okay for the weekend, but a decision will only be taken later in the week about his availability.

Namibian captain Renaldo Bothma also faces a long time on the sidelines after fracturing his arm at King’s Park on Friday night and will be out for six weeks.