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.
Listening to the Sky sports panel. Alan McInally seems to be genuinely confused as to why Wayne Rooney has been left on the bench!! Christ where did they get him from??
Everton Robert. In 2004.
He’s on for the second half – I’ve never seen a United team as devoid of passion or any spark as this one. Christ it’s bleak.
You’re not wrong Robert. Painful to watch. Fellaini is absolute shite as usual.
I will not lie, the way they play is horrendous, but these comments sections make up for it!
Fellaini not the worst of them. Memphis, herrera and blind all absolute rubbish. And all bought by van gaal.
He’s out of shape and has been for his entire career. Rooney has coasted on talent and cut every possible corner. It’s no wonder that he’s 30 and looks and plays like a 35 year old.
He has played top level first team football sooner then most. No suprise the body is starting to get weary.
Compare him physically to Ronaldo. There is no comparison.
Its a weary story. He’s unmotivated, unfit, long long past his best, overindulged by LVG, grossly overpaid, a smoker/drinker/junk food fiend, basically an all round poor professional. He’s been sanitised by captaincy of England and without the old snarl is a neutered threat. He’ll never be the football statesman he’s angling to be. Plus he clearly fancies a swansong in Everton before retirement. Time to say goodbye
He wouldn’t get in the Everton team.
He’s a throw back to the footballers of the 1980s
Lvg in.
Dwight Yorke is a shocking pundit. Calling Rooney “Wazza” goes to show where his prerogative is.
Agree. One of the many brain dead cliche-ridden ex-player pundits that Sky use. Redknapp, Henry as well.
And I forgot to mention the sleep inducing Niall Quinn who tops the lot in my opinion.
So, he finally drops his worst player. The fans get what they want. He even brought him on for the second half to prove that he was right to drop him. Then, after all this time trying to get the guy dropped, there are still morons who question why he dropped him. I give in! Here’s how the game went:
http://whysayanything.com/2015/12/26/united-van-gaal-do-nothing-to-convince/
its time for Rooney to be moved on. He has been useless for the last 3 seasons. should have kept Hernandez
Looks more like a darts player than a footballer
Sad to see a pathetic Utd again today.
Watched a “must win” game today and there was only one team playing to win!
Fellani, Jones and Memphis are not Utd players and like LVG should be given their P45s. It’s the manner in which Utd are losing is the worst thing. No fight, class or willingness to win! Attitude is all wrong! That must stem from LVG and I include the mute Giggs in that. I watched the three management team sit quietly throughout the whole game. No giving out, cajoling or even given out instructions – just sitting mutely as another 3pts goes away. ‘ three stooges’.
I hear they are lacking confidence!! Their bank accounts are not and also no urgency!!! If inevitably Jose does get the job- he will have to sign quite a lot of “January players” and turn average players into workers. I wouldn’t bank on it- they will give the job to Giggs – who has not been able to change these players already !! Top 4 is a distant dream- get use to Thursday night football!!
Dude, on every article?
United looked better when he was on the pitch which is saying alot about what went on in the first half .
LVG is in a no win situation. He will pay the price like all managers of non performing teams. Rooney has been poor for a long time and really has been overrated for years. All great to see as a non utd supporter.
Fletcher scored.. Should have kept him as well I suppose