Springboks lock RG Snyman reveals cause of latest stint on the sidelines for Munster
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Munster’s Springbok second-row RG Snyman has revealed that a bout of pneumonia kept him on the sidelines for the Investec Champions Cup round-of-16 loss to Northampton Saints last month.
The double Rugby World Cup winner’s stint at the Irish province has been plagued by injury, and he is set to make his first start at Thomond Park in four seasons when they take on Connacht on Saturday.
Shone on Munster’s South African tour
The 29-year-old made a full recovery from his illness and played a leading role for the United Rugby Championship‘s (URC) defending champions on their successful two-match tour to South Africa.
Munster are in a strong position in the URC standings as they collected a full house of 10 points following bonus point wins over his old side the Bulls and the Lions as they returned to winning ways in style following their 24-14 loss to Saints at Franklin’s Gardens.
Although several of Munster’s players were sick for that match, but the Leinster-bound lock’s illness was more severe.
“I actually didn’t have what the rest of the guys had, I had pneumonia,” Snyman told the Irish Independent. “So, I was really not well over those two weeks and it’s not the easiest thing then to go play at altitude in Pretoria but it all turned out OK.
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“It was definitely a shock, the first big training session we had there, I must say.
“But, at least knowing what to expect and knowing how you will feel, getting that iron taste in the back of your throat while you’re running, it’s not a new experience, you know, growing up there.
“At least I knew what to expect but it was certainly a shock that first training session.”
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Keen to leave Munster on a high
With Saturday’s Connacht clash and other URC league matches against Edinburgh (away) and Ulster (home) lying in wait, Snyman is keen to finish his Munster career on a high.
“My road here and my time here hasn’t been the easiest but I’ve been as dedicated as I could have been throughout my entire time,” he said.
“It’s almost as if all of the opportunities I ended up not having gets thrown into this last bit of the season and into the opportunities I do get.”