SPRINGBOK flyhalf Franco Smith was the high-profile victim as Northern Bulls coach Eugene van Wyk took the drastic measure of axing four players for Saturday’s Super 12 showdown against the New South Wales Waratahs. Clearly fed-up with his under-achieving team who lost their three opening matches against the Stormers (42-19), Otago Highlanders (65-23) and the Wellington Hurricanes (37-18), Van Wyk also dropped fullback Hannes Venter, flanker Craig McIntosh and wing Jan-Harm van Wyk. Smith has been replaced by Gavin Lawless.