SPRINGBOKS DIRECTOR OF rugby Rassie Erasmus has explained that Leinster lock Jason Jenkins’ recall to the South Africa squad comes amidst ongoing concerns about Munster man RG Snyman’s knee injury.
With Snyman remaining out of action along with several other second rows, Munster have moved to sign Scottish lock Kiran McDonald on a three-month injury cover contract, with the 27-year-old having recently left Wasps.
The cruelly unlucky Snyman has been sidelined for over a year with a re-ruptured ACL in his left knee and as reported last month, it’s understood the Munster second row suffered a setback with his recovery.
Erasmus has now confirmed that was the case and even suggested that Snyman’s possible involvement in next year’s World Cup is in doubt.
“We’ve always been waiting for RG,” said Erasmus at a Springboks press conference today. “We all know what a freak athlete he is and what he can do for the Boks.
“The last time RG played for us was at the [2019] World Cup. He has been in camp with us and spent a week or two with us [last summer], just to get up to speed with the way we do things, but then he gets another setback.
“At some stage, we have to start wondering if RG will make it to the World Cup.
“If we left it until after this end-of-year tour, we would be taking a big risk by not making sure there’s a third or fourth front lock. I think Jason is someone who will give us some of those answers when we play these six games on tour.”
It remains unclear when Munster hope to see Snyman back on the pitch. They have not given a timeframe for his recovery when asked about the South African’s recovery in recent months.
Snyman joined Munster in 2020 but suffered his first ACL rupture just minutes into this debut against Leinster. He suffered a minor setback during his recovery from that initial injury and also sustained burns in a firepit accident in Limerick.
The 27-year-old made his comeback for Munster in September 2021 but re-ruptured his cruciate ligament in his third appearance back.
Despite that setback, Munster decided to re-contract Snyman, announcing a new two-year deal for him in January 2022, but he remains sidelined for now.
The province’s fans will be hoping that he can overcome this second ACL rupture and add to his four appearances in the red jersey. It seems Erasmus and the Springboks’ hopes are not as high as Snyman’s cruel spell on the sidelines continues.
Snyman is not the only Munster second row injured at present, with the province confirming more bad news today.
Tom Ahern will meet a specialist this week following a scan on the shoulder injury he sustained against Leinster last weekend, meaning he is now set to miss out on involvement with Ireland A and may be looking at a longer spell on the sidelines.
Jean Kleyn was also injured against Leinster, with his rib issue ensuring he will be unavailable for “a number of weeks,” according to Munster.
Fineen Wycherley and Paddy Kelly are also still on the list of absentees with respective shoulder and head injuries, while Tadhg Beirne is away on Ireland duty.
With all of that in mind, Munster have signed former Glasgow Warriors lock McDonald, who was available after Wasps went into administration. He will join the province this weekend.
Munster had already signed tighthead prop John Ryan on a three-month deal after his exit from Wasps, while they also signed Irish-qualified centre Oli Morris after his deal at Worcester was terminated when they too went into administration.
United played very well in patches tonight against a stale looking Leicester team. Eriksen is pure class and brings a bit of intelligence and composure to the side. Very early days yet, but progress all the same.
Solid performance, but that was pure crap going forward. Far too passive and almost cocky in attack. Against a rubbish Leicester side who would have been put away by City / Liverpool. Praying Antony lives some bit up to the 100m coz Elanga Rashford Ronaldo nowhere near consistent enough. Highlight of the match was Dalot celebrating the block on Harvey Barnes.. cringey.. but just glad to see any bit of passion in defence these days. 3 wins on the trot we’ll take it. Big improvement needed on Sunday. PS. can see Rodgers at Villa soon!
@Johnny Mads: pretty much
@Johnny Mads: Hats off to ten hag to drop Maguire Johnny. The only way is up. As for yer Rogers quip that’s actually funny and not funny at the same time.
@Johnny Mads: very scrappy at times and alot of work to do, actually thought Ronaldo was lively when he came on, was unlucky with the bicycle kick also, 3 points and a clean sheet
@Pauly Kel: Ronaldo always a danger, just feel he holds back on his forward passed a second too long. Can’t help but feel he’s thinking 2 or 3 steps ahead on how he can give the ball to player best positioned to set him up at the end. Pure paranoia on my behalf but that’s how i always see it ! Sometimes kills the attack. But we sure will take 3 points and move on and keep building.
@Paul Gorry: When i saw him dropped before the pool game i got excited. Felt like a relief to finally move on and take a chance at least. So far paying off. As for Rodgers.. put your house on it ;)
@Johnny Mads: thought Dalot was very good again. Think it’s a bit harsh to lump ronnie in with rashford and elanga, he was on for 20 mins and looked far more threatening than both. If he shot rather than crossed to Eriksen near the end I’m convinced it would have been 2. Jenas saying rashford was on for his work rate was hilarious, did absolutely nowt besides his assist. Surely not a starter for much longer. Mctominay was fairly reckless aswell at times, dragging down maddison on the edge of the box. Surely time to give Fred and Casemiro a run!
@Johnny Mads: probably like the majority of utd fans to be fair. As for Rodgers i don’t have a house lol
@Paul Gorry: rodgers has 102 by all accounts.
@A$AP Ragnick: Dalot gaining confidence off the new system. Glad to see him earn his place ahead of AWB who i cant stand! Prob harsh on Ronnie but jury still out on him for me at moment. We could really do with him hitting form now at the right time so here’s hoping! Ya I think Fred & Casemiro will be the partnership once Casemiro settles. Big test Sunday now gunners on fire.
@Paul Gorry: lol
Leicester reward has beens like Vardy and Evans with new contracts when they should be replaced. The spine of that team needs surgery. New keeper, centre backs, holding midfielder, two strikers. Only six minutes left Brendan. Hurry up !!
Being cautiously optimistic about this upswing in form, this is a side that may give a good run for 4th but ultimately settle for 5th (please anything but 6th again). Arsenal Is the real test if we can topple them then maybe 4th is an actual possibility given that Chelsea seem to be cracking
The big test for this current Utd squad is when they come up against the top teams! Let’s see what happens on Sunday.
@john fairclough: what like Lvpl
@john fairclough: Did they not already beat Liverpool?
@HarveyLemonade: I agree. It will be as equally as big a test for arsenal. They have been impressive but have had a fairly handy first few games.
Pretty irrelevant…. however, United have recorded 3 straight Premier League wins in August/September 2021 and in December 2021.
It’s progress but Ten Haag seems far to cautious when in lead. He brings off pacey attackers for slower defensive players. Happened in last 3 games. Could have easily cost Utd points in each game. This isn’t the Dutch league where teams will accept a 1 0 loss.
@Shane Obrien: I think he’s just getting Casemiro a few minutes here and there for a possible start on Sunday.
@Shane Obrien: think its more of a natural response to united’s tendency to retreat when they get into a lead, i don’t think he is encouraging it or anything. They would have drawn/lost games like this and the Southampton one last year. Hopefully show more of a killer instinct in the upcoming games.