RG Snyman’s annus horribilis is set to continue as the Springbok and Munster lock limped off the field against Scarlets on Sunday.
Munster coach Johann van Graan revealed that while the full extent of the injury is not known, “it might be significant”.
It is not the news that South Africa or Munster fans will want to hear given RG Snyman has missed almost the entire season to date after being plagued by a series of injuries.
Another serious injury would cast doubt over Snyman’s involvement in the Springboks’ end-of-year tour, set to take place next month. South Africa’s depth at lock is already being tested – Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg has recently also suffered a calf injury which threatens his participation on the tour.
With Frans Malherbe missing the November trip to face Wales, Scotland and England as he continues to recover from a neck injury suffered in the Rugby Championship, and Pieter-Steph du Toit not due to return to rugby before next year, the Springbok pack continues to be deprived of key players.
It has been a difficult 18 months for South Africa’s players with a packed playing schedule and no real off-season starting to take its toll. Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen also had to be helped off the field during Saturday’s clash with Cardiff Rugby on Saturday.
The severity of Goosen’s injury is unknown at this stage, but the flyhalf himself has expressed concern that it could be an ACL injury and Bulls director Jake White has echoed that “it’s not good news”.
As the Boks prepare for their final international fixtures of 2021 they’ll be hoping no more names are added to the injury list.