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RG Snyman properly back and knocking on Bok door
“He is getting his game fitness and confidence back that we were used to back in 2019.”
RG Snyman of Munster is back in the Bok selection mix. Picture: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
He’s fit and firing and if everything goes well for him between now and September expect giant lock RG Snyman to be back in the Springbok squad for the World Cup in France.
In fact, if the 28-year-old, 2.06m second row forward continues to play like he has since his return from injury he should be back in the Bok fold for the Rugby Championship in July.
Snyman showed signs he was back to his best with a strong performance for Munster in the URC match against the Stormers at the weekend, and this only after a handful of games since starting to play again after a horrific time with injuries over the last few years.
The former Bulls man suffered two knee ligament injuries since last playing for the Boks, in the Rugby World Cup final in Japan in 2019, and he also suffered bad burns in a fire-pit incident that also involved Damian de Allende.
‘Huge presence’
While Snyman featured in a couple of Champions Cup matches recently, Saturday’s outing in Cape Town was his first URC start. And his coach Graham Rowntree was delighted with his effort.
“His performance was huge,” Rowntree was quoted as saying by sarugbymag.co.za.
“He was constantly involved on both sides of the ball. Of course, he is a huge presence in the set piece and maul, on both sides of the ball. I am delighted for RG.
“He has had a tricky time, which has been well documented … the lads really respect and have taken to him.”
‘Chuffed for him’
Stormers captain and fellow World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff said he, too, was pleased that Snyman was back in action.
“He is just a quality player … I am chuffed for RG. I think he is really knocking hard onto getting a possible recall in the Springbok side.
“He is getting his game fitness and confidence back that we were used to back in 2019.”
Snyman played mainly off the bench at the last World Cup, performing an integral role as a part of the “bomb squad” and he may well fulfil that role again.
Springbok boss Jacques Nienaber is more than likely to back Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager as his starters going into this season, but a fit Snyman on the bench would be a welcome boost for the Boks.
