The Free State Cheetahs' Currie Cup play-off hopes have been dealt a considerable blow with the news that Springbok flank Juan Smith has been ruled out till next year, with a knee injury.

Cheetahs assistant coach Hawies Fourie on Monday confirmed earlier reports that the 28-year-old loose forward will miss the remainder of the Currie Cup season.

"Yes, it is a big blow, as he would certainly have provided us with an additional line-out option," Fourie told this website.

Smith, who missed the Boks' final Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Wellington with a lower back/hamstring injury, also sat out the Cheetahs' 13-24 Currie Cup loss to the Sharks at the weekend.

And while taking a break on his farm he suffered a freak accident.

"He damaged his medial knee ligaments," Fourie said, adding: "He will only be able to play in the Super 14 again next year."

It was expected that Smith would have joined fellow Bok Heinrich Brussow in the Cheetahs side for the crucial Round 12 encounter with the Blue Bulls in Pretoria this coming Saturday.

The loss to the Sharks meant the Bulls overtook the Cheetahs in the standings, moving into fourth spot - one ahead of the men from Bloemfontein.

It appears as if the Cheetahs and Bulls could be locked in a race for the fourth play-off spot - with the table-topping Sharks (on 40 points), Western Province (39 in second place) and Griquas (38) well clear of the Bulls (fourth on 32).

The Cheetahs assistant coach said the team will look to work on their finishing and play at the breakdown this week, two areas that caused concern in the loss to the Sharks.

"We attacked very well, but our finishing was not as accurate as it should have been and we were also beaten at the breakdown in Durban," Fourie said.