‘No surprise’ RG Snyman back in Bok mix, says Munster team-mate

Hulking Springbok lock RG Snyman is back in the Springbok set-up after he was named in the national team’s training squad for a second preparation camp ahead of the international season.

The camp is taking place in Cape Town from Monday to Wednesday and features a mix of mostly Stormers, Sharks and Japanese based players, with Snyman and Duane Vermeulen the sole inclusions from the UK.

Snyman will head into the camp on a massive high, not only from finally being back with the Boks after a number of years, but also because he will still be celebrating Munster’s United Rugby Championship (URC) win after they beat the Stormers in the final on Saturday night.

It has been an incredibly frustrating and unfortunate past few years for Snyman, after two major knee injuries kept him out of rugby for long spells.

‘Unbelievable’

Fellow Munster team-mate Tadgh Beirne is not surprised that Snyman is straight back into the Bok set-up.

“He (Snyman) is unbelievable to have around the squad, I’ll say that for one thing. For a man who has been incredibly unlucky with injuries he is one of the most positive people I have ever come across,” said Beirne after their URC triumph.

“Since he’s been back he’s brought his experience and brought incredible physicality. The skill level he has and the understanding he has for the game is second to none.

“I’m not surprised he’s in there. He is absolutely world class and we are very lucky to have him in our squad. He is not just a great player but an unbelievable person as well.”

Stormers

Thee 33-man squad features nine Stormers players, including Deon Fourie, Marvin Orie and Manie Libbok, while it is interesting to note that Damian Willemse is classified as a flyhalf in the squad.

Injured players Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Jaden Hendrikse and Thomas du Toit are also in the group.

The Boks will begin their preparations for the Rugby Championship at a training camp in Pretoria from Monday 12 to Friday 30 June, with the team slotting into match mode the following week for their opening match off the season against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 8 July.

Springbok training squad

Props: Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks).

Hookers: Joseph Dweba (Stormers), Malcom Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Marvin Orie (Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster).

Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster).

Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks)

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Damian Willemse (Stormers).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls).