The worst news was confirmed this afternoon.
Munster head coach Johann van Graan surely knew this was coming when he saw RG Snyman hobble off after only nine minutes of action against Scarlets, on Sunday.
The South African lock came off the bench for Munster against the Welsh outfit in their United Rugby Championship outing and sustained a bad knee injury after claiming a restart.
He was able to walk off without medical assistance, but his demeanour and unease at moving told you all you needed to know. Post-match, van Graan said his player had sustained a “significant injury”.
This is when RG Snyman did his cruciate again
He claimed the restart then crumpled. TV cameras only caught some of it, but you can see the anguish he is in
Really have to feel for the lad pic.twitter.com/bR7ecqJksr
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) October 11, 2021
On Monday afternoon, the worst news was confirmed. The World Cup winner had injured the same knee that he had on his Munster debut, back in August 2020. He is facing another long spell out. A Munster statement reads:
‘It has been confirmed that RG Snyman sustained a re-rupture of his cruciate ligament in Sunday’s United Rugby Championship win against Scarlets.
‘The 26-year-old lock featured off the bench in Parc y Scarlets and nine minutes later was forced off after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
‘The World Cup-winning Springbok will meet with the specialist next to discuss surgery and management.’
RG Snyman limps off shortly after coming on as a replacement. Let’s hope that the Springboks lock’s injury is not serious #SCAvMUN #RTERugby #RTESport https://t.co/JrzrUD5l3M pic.twitter.com/ioisL19Hgg
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 10, 2021
Commenting on the injury blow, Head Coach Johann van Graan said, “We are all hugely disappointed for RG.
“After doing everything that was asked of him and working so hard to get back into great shape everyone feels for him right now.
“While this is a setback, we know RG is young and resilient given everything he has gone through in the last year so there is a strong sense of perspective here.
“We have seen what other world class players have done in this position before and they have come back to reach the successful heights of their careers and I would expect no different for someone of RG’s class and standing.”
The news is a real blow for a Munster side that have started their season with three wins from three and have collected all 15 points on offer.
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