Former Springbok flyhalf Franco Smith will not be in Durban when the Glasgow Warriors take on the Cell C Sharks due to an issue with his visa.

Smith, head coach of Glasgow, failed to get a visa processed in time to join the Warriors for their tour opener at Kings Park on Saturday evening.

“Franco Smith has been unable to fly to South Africa for this weekend’s game due to visa delays. He will join up with the squad at the earliest possible opportunity,” Glasgow Warriors stated.

“Attack coach Nigel Carolan will take responsibility on the ground in South Africa for the game.”

Born in the North West town of Lichtenburg, Smith played nine Tests for South Africa in the late 1990s and coached the Cheetahs for four seasons before leaving to take charge of Italy in 2019.

He took over from Danny Wilson at Glasgow in August and the Warriors currently sit seventh on the table, level on log points with the Sharks.

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