Snyman insists Reds reunion will be special

RG Snyman of Leinster celebrates after being presented with a cap to mark his debut. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Double World Cup winner RG Snyman says he is looking forward to taking on his former side Munster at Croke Park on Saturday having made his Leinster debut at the weekend.

Snyman played 51 minutes as Leinster maintained their perfect start to the URC with a 35-5 victory over Benetton on Treviso on Saturday afternoon.

And with over 70,000 tickets sold for the clash against Munster, Snyman, whose Leinster’s debut was delayed by a foot injury picked up on duty with the Springboks, said it will be a special day.

He only played 20 times during his four years with Munster but did play in derby matches against the three other provinces and knows how big they are.

“It’s a special week. It’s not just a once-off or a one-day event. It’s going to be a massive clash and I’m really looking forward to it,” said the South African.

He was delighted to get back out on the field at Stadio Monigo and play his part in a victory that was fashioned by four tries in the opening 26 minutes after having his Leinster debut delayed by injury.

“It was obviously something quite frustrating but it gave me a chance to get settled and meet the boys and not to rush into these games,” added Snyman. “It is so good to be back out there and hit the field running and making my debut with all the other boys returning as well after international duty. It was really fun out there.

“It was quite hectic, it was quite busy. Everybody has been quite welcoming and I must say it’s quite nice to experience a club like Leinster and be part of it.

“The legs are okay, it’s just the lungs that will need a bit of work but it’s probably expected coming back. It’s a work in progress, I’d say.” 

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said it was great to have him on the field, along with the returning Irish internationals.

“He picked up a minor enough knock during the Rugby Championship. That afforded him some time to get settled in. He’s been really great with the group, they have taken to him really well and hopefully we will see him get better and better,” Cullen told Leinster’s social media channels.

The Leinster coach said their attention will now turn to Saturday’s showdown against their biggest rivals and they will go into it on the back of having taken all 15 points on offer in the three URC games to date.

“There is this anticipation always about this fixture. And the fact that it is in Croke Park, it’s an amazing venue and it’s amazing to hear that there are 70,000 tickets already sold and hopefully it will be sold out, it will be a special day.

“It’s great to get another batch of players through for their first game of the season. There is always a bit of an unknown. The last thing you want to do, particularly away from home, a heavy pitch and partisan crowd, you don’t want to get into that sort of wrestle."