RG Snyman: 'I'll cherish Dublin win forever'

RG Snyman of South Africa after the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Malcom Marx rocked up for a few words after Saturday night’s marathon of a Test match in Dublin with a laceration next to his eye and a protective tape. Caelan Doris sported a beauty of a black eye.

Caelan Doris and Mack Hansen had picked up injuries that saw them hobble off and RG Snyman stood with his hands on hips and taking a deep breath as he tried to centre himself.

“I'm so f****d,” the Springbok lock started.

Bear in mind the fact that the Leinster lock had ‘only’ played for half-an-hour. It didn’t matter. South Africa might have dominated large parts of their win over Ireland but the winners had expanded just as much of themselves.

“Knowing a lot of guys on the other side, I knew there was a little bit extra going into every bit of contact. Even just the week, it's obviously quite an emotional week and, yeah, it was a special game for me and for all of us getting the opportunity playing in the Aviva.” 

This 11-point win coincided with Snyman’s 50th cap for his country. It made for a lovely piece of symmetry given Dublin is his current home and the moment was marked when he ran out alone prior to kickoff to a responsive audience.

“Yeah, 100%. It's definitely a game I'll cherish forever. Especially running out in front of everyone. I wasn't sure what the reception would be like, but it was a goosebump moment for me.” 

Most players get to start their 50th cap. Not Snyman. A long-time member of the South African Bomb Squad, he was sat down during the week by Rassie Erasmus who explained again the nature of his role off the bench this time.

It was a similar situation two weeks ago when Siya Kolisi made his 100th appearance in the famous jersey only to be taken off at half-time after the Boks had gone down to 14 men and Erasmus felt the need to redistribute his forces.

No ‘i’ in this team.

“It's obviously a special occasion for me but the team comes first, so it's all about what you can do for the team,” said Snyman. “I'm running out of English here, I can't think of the word, but it's more just giving rather than thinking about yourself.”

Plenty of teams talk this talk, South Africa live it every week.

An interminably long first-half still hadn’t finished when Erasmus sent Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw on for Boan Venter and Thomas du Toit. No room for sensibilities there, just a cold, hard business decision.

Turned out there was ample time for the new props to turn the screw at the scrum one more time and earn a penalty try that gave the Boks a 19-7 half-time lead. It was punishing and it was definitive.

“Again, it just comes down to what was happening out there,” said Snyman. “Once things start going your way and you achieve that dominance, obviously you're gonna keep going after it.

“I think that was handled perfectly from the coaching staff, putting those guys on. Obviously it's great to have Gerhard and Wilco come off the bench and just continue that dominance.”