RG Snyman: We had a very tough team meeting after Argentina

Ken Borland

Lock RG Snyman is enjoying a very good Super Rugby campaign but he knows the tight five will have to put in a much better performance than they did last weekend against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires if they are to beat the Brumbies at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Bulls were dominated up front and outclassed in all departments by the Jaguares, who stormed to a 54-24 victory thanks to some lax defending by the visitors in the second half.

In fact, the slump was so bad in that match that the men from Loftus had a particularly awkward but valuable team meeting at the start of the new week.

“It was one of our toughest meetings this morning, but it was fair for the coach to be like that, he was very disappointed and we needed that. We have to fix it this week, the way we played was a big disappointment for all of us. We’ve been in it in all our games this season, but that was not our best,” Snyman said.

“The set-pieces were a real battle and we did well there in the end, but our defence let us down. It was my first time there and it is a really tough place to play, the fans and the stadium make it very different, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. Our preparation went really well, so then you must give it your all out on the field.

“Now we have to deal with some sickness through our flight back, we have to get our strength back up because the Brumbies are always tough, they are one of the strongest Australian sides. We have to give it our all after we let ourselves down a bit in Argentina. We can’t perform like that again.”

From a personal point of view, Snyman knows that with Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager out injured, he is in the mix for a Springbok call-up this weekend and he will want to put in a very good display against the Brumbies to make sure new national coach Rassie Erasmus has no qualms about selecting him.

“It’s definitely a big challenge playing against the Brumbies locks and with an eye on the Bok squad, it’s a big game for Jason Jenkins and I. No matter who the Brumbies put in their side, their pack is still going to be strong, so we need to do all our prep and come out fighting,” Snyman added.

Brumbies lock Rory Arnold has been hit with a three-week suspension for his late and high hit on Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies last weekend and eighthman Isi Naisarani limped off Ellis Park with a leg injury, but they were competitive enough for the Bulls to know they have to regain their fire and accuracy to beat them.

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