Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Long-awaited RG Snyman comeback has encountered yet another delay

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The long-awaited return of RG Snyman to action with Munster has again been put on the long finger following their latest squad update ahead of this Friday’s match versus the Lions in the URC. Not since an October 2021 league game against Scarlets has the giant Springboks lock been involved in a match and hopes that he could potentially be included in his Irish club’s busy league and European schedule in January have been dashed by his team’s latest medical bulletin.

ADVERTISEMENT

“RG Snyman’s progression has seen him return to field-based rehabilitation and running. He remains unavailable for the upcoming games this month,” read the Munster statement on the South African who has played just four games and 54 minutes since joining the Irish province in 2020.

Set to turn 28 later this month, the ongoing absence of the 2019 World Cup winner has become a massive frustration for Munster given their large financial outlay on Snyman who was recruited by Johann van Graan and was awarded a contract extension last January. That will see him remain until the summer of 2024 with the club that is now coached by Graham Rowntree.

Video Spacer

Being Barbarians – Rugby Documentary

Our new rugby documentary follows Scott Robertson and Ronan O’Gara in a brand new saga following the Barbarians rugby team, one of the most famous sides in the world. In this clash, they take on New Zealand XV.

Video Spacer

Being Barbarians – Rugby Documentary

Our new rugby documentary follows Scott Robertson and Ronan O’Gara in a brand new saga following the Barbarians rugby team, one of the most famous sides in the world. In this clash, they take on New Zealand XV.

It was in his debut game for Munster at Leinster in August 2020 when Snyman tore his anterior cruciate knee ligament. Then came the skin graft that was needed to repair fire burn damage following a freak firepit accident in 2021, a setback that was followed by his latest knee injury 15 months ago which cut short his three-game comeback.

The latest Munster update means that the latest projected return of Snyman to play has now been pushed back into his club’s Six Nations window after it had initially been suggested he was potentially in line to make it back by the end of December.

Related

This latest delay will surely pique the interest of the Springboks, given how they admitted during their recent November tour that they were looking at other options at lock ahead of France 2023 as the 6ft 9in Snyman hadn’t played for them since the World Cup final win in Japan in November 2019.

The remainder of the Munster squad update read: “On the injury front, Kiran McDonald will go for a scan on an arm injury sustained against Ulster. His availability for the Lions game will be determined later in the week.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Diarmuid Barron is progressing through his graduated return to play protocols and John Hodnett (thigh) has increased his training load. The availability of Barron and Hodnett for the weekend will be determined later in the week.

“Continuing to rehab: Jeremy Loughman (thigh), Tom Ahern (shoulder), RG Snyman (knee), Fineen Wycherley (shoulder), Paddy Kelly (head), Jack Daly (knee), Andrew Conway (knee), Keynan Knox (knee).”

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING England No8 Sarah Beckett banned after leg-breaking croc roll tackle England No8 Sarah Beckett banned after leg-breaking croc roll tackle
Search