Springboks lock RG Snyman looks to be on track to make his return for Munster in the new year, with assistant coach Mike Prendergast providing a positive update on the World Cup winner.
While Munster hoped Snyman would return over the festive season, the timeline has been adjusted to the new year.
Nightmare injury run
Snyman has played just four games for Munster over two years and has yet to play for the Springboks since the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
In 2020, he suffered his first cruciate ligament injury eight minutes into his Munster debut against Leinster. During his recovery, he sustained burns in a firepit accident in June 2021, further delaying his return.
Snyman completed his recovery and made his second appearance for the Irish side in September 2021 and featured twice off the bench before sustaining a second cruciate ligament injury in his third game back against the Scarlets.
He is still battling back from that second blow, after suffering a setback in his recovery earlier this season.
Positive updates
Speaking ahead of the United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster, attack coach Prendergast said a return date had not been pencilled in, but the medical staff have provided positive updates on the 27-year-old.
“Things are positive; that’s kind of the overall message that we’ve been getting,” said Prendergast.
“We’re all excited that he will be back into the new year because bringing a world-class player like that can do a lot to your game. Overall, things are moving forward, which is great and positive.”
Despite Snyman’s struggles with fitness, Munster extended his contract last January to keep him at the province until at least 2024.
His return in January will be a major boost for Munster, who already have rising star Edwin Edogbo in their ranks along with Tom Ahern, Paddy Kelly and Fineen Wycherley.
Leinster’s attack
Looking ahead to the Interpro clash with Leinster, Prendergast said his side would need to be on top of their game to come away with a win.
Leinster head into the clash off the back of a successful fortnight in the Champions Cup, where they defeated Racing 92 42-10 before thrashing Gloucester 57-0.
Prendergast lauded Leinster’s attack ahead of the match: “Obviously, as an attack coach, I look at how they attack and what they do well. I just think their ability to make the right decisions within the framework and they move very, very quickly.
“There are other sides to their game, and defensively they’re very hard to break down, but I suppose the one thing that we did allude to this week is their maul, because it’s an aspect to their game which has always been very strong, but I think it has probably gone to a new level this year.”
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