Munster assistant coach JP Ferreira says RG Snyman will stay in Ireland to complete his rehab from a second successive knee ligament injury.
The 26-year-old featured off the bench during Munster’s win over Scarlets on Sunday and nine minutes later was forced off after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship match.
It was another severe blow in what has been a frustrating year for Snyman, during which he has missed both the British & Irish Lions series and Rugby Championship.
Snyman had only recently made his comeback after recovering from the burns he suffered during a fire-pit accident earlier this year, which delayed his return from surgical repair of the same knee ligament last year in his debut season for Munster.
“He’s a giant around the squad and, yes, the lads really look up to him. He brings a great energy and vibe around him. Guys are gutted,” Munster defence coach Ferreira explained.
“We have acknowledged that yesterday [Tuesday] when we came into training but that’s put aside now. We are just carrying on with what we have to do. We are right behind him, everyone in Munster is around him to get him sorted again.”
Ferreira said that keeping Snyman involved with the squad during his rehab will hopefully be extra motivation for him.
“It’s difficult and gutting because it has happened again for him. So, he will be going: ‘Could I have done more?’
“But, on the other side, he will be going, ‘This is what I did last time around, like being involved in the squad’. Last time he probably felt he wasn’t so involved in the squad.
“He is feeling like he needs to be involved and he doesn’t want to go home and sit around waiting for his next rehab session.
“He will be more on board with us and that will keep him fresh and keep him up to date with things we are changing and evolving.
“I think then, obviously his personal side of it, he will train hard and get back stronger. It’s also a motivation for him to get back again.”
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