Springbok coach Peter de Villiers would have given veteran loose forward Juan Smith more time to recover, if he wanted it.

The Bok coach confirmed on Thursday that the 2007 World Cup-winning flank, Smith, will not be considered for the Boks' World Cup squad because of injury.

Smith, as this website reported on Wednesday, ruled himself out of contention and informed the Bok coach, De Villiers.

"Juan had been in a race against time to be fit and we were keen to give him every opportunity to prove himself available," said de Villiers on Thursday.

"He is understandably very disappointed - as are we - but he has made the right decision.

"A fully fit Juan Smith would have been an enormous asset to our campaign and he this is a major disappointment.

"But it was obvious that he was still some way from full fitness and his decision confirms the advice of our medical team.

"Out of respect for a great Springbok, we wanted to leave the door open until the last moment for him."

The 69-Test veteran injured his Achilles in a Super Rugby match for the Cheetahs in February.

Smith said: "I've worked very hard to get back on the training field but I'm still some way from full fitness and have been training with quite a lot of pain.

"I'd been trying to tell myself that I'd come right but that wasn't going to happen.

"This is a huge blow to me.

"The World Cup is the pinnacle of any player's career and I was looking forward to our attempt to become the first team to win the title in successive tournaments."

The Springbok World Cup squad will be announced on Tuesday, August 23.