Leinster's RG Snyman returns to Springbok squad for November's European tour

Rassie Erasmus has welcomed back the in-form Leinster man ahead of the Autumn internationals.

BOKS OFFICE RG Snyman during Leinster rugby squad training session this week. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Leinster’s RG Snyman has been named in the South African squad that will tour Europe next month having returned to fitness with a trio of superb performances for his new province in recent weeks.

The towering lock struggled to put successive games together while with Munster but he has been superb against Benetton, Munster and Connacht, scoring two tries in his three starts and fitting in seamlessly with Leo Cullen’s team.

Snyman missed the entirety of the Rugby Championship, when the Springboks took the title, due to a foot injury that delayed his debut for Leinster but he is one of four World Cup winners back on Bok duty for their tour to the northern hemisphere.

Damian Willemse (utility back), Andre Esterhuizen (centre and Franco Mostert (both locks), all return to a 34-man panel named by Rassie Erasmus on Tuesday having, like Snyman, missed that Rugby Championship.

“There’s no doubt that there are several unlucky players who could easily have made the touring squad, but unfortunately we could only select 34 players,” said Erasmus.

“That said, this squad includes a healthy mix of youth and experience, with most of these players having made a strong statement in the Springbok jersey this year.

“It’s also great to have RG, Franco, Andre, and Damian back in the mix after recovering from their injuries, and we are excited to see what impact they have on the field, especially after their disappointment of missing out on the Rugby Championship.

“Damian, Andre and RG all returned to action in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and have made a strong statement with their performances, and we all know what a workhorse Franco is and the quality that he adds to the team.

“So there’s no doubt they’ll want to make their presence felt against quality opposition in Scotland, England and Wales, who are all ranked within the top eleven sides in the world.” 

The world champions will make for a training camp in Jersey in the Channel Islands on October 27 and then face Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday, November 10, England at Twickenham six days later and Wales in Cardiff a week later.

The players ruled out due to injury are Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Salmaan Moerat (both knee injuries), Steven Kitshoff (neck) and Lood de Jager (shoulder). Erasmus’ squad includes 18 forwards and 16 backs.

“We are under no illusions about the quality of the opposition we will face, and we have experienced first-hand how their home crowds lift them, much like our passionate supporters, so we know what it will take to be successful over there,” Erasmus said.

“Fortunately, we have a squad that believes in themselves and their abilities, and that will be vital as we enter these matches.

“Obviously we’ll take confidence from winning the Rugby Championship, but the reality is that’s now history, and there’s no doubt that will motivate the opposition even more to make a strong statement against us.” 

Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster).

Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).

Scrum-halves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Fly-halves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).

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

Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).