British and Irish Lions

The 29-year-old damaged his right knee at the back end of last year.

He has already been sidelined for a month but faces between a further five to eight weeks out, according to Clermont medical staff.

Smit has only played two Top 14 games for Les Auvergnats since joining them in November.

Coach Vern Cotter has Argentina international Mario Ledesma as cover during the Springbok's absence.

The Waratahs upset the odds by beating Super Rugby leaders the Brumbies 28-22, but the game came at a huge cost to Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.