Rugby World Cup-winning second-row RG Snyman is poised to join Premiership outfit Bath in a reported deal worth £450,000 per year from the upcoming season.
The move comes after Snyman’s current team, Munster, opted not to extend his contract. Munster faced a tough decision, with pressure mounting due to Jean Kleyn’s nationality switch to South Africa after initially representing Ireland in 2019.
Ultimately, Munster chose to retain Kleyn alongside their up and coming lock talent namely Edwin Edogbo, Thomas Ahern and Fineen Wycherely.
Snyman, although plagued by injuries, demonstrated his prowess by playing a pivotal role in guiding Munster to a United Rugby Championship title last season before clinching the World Cup. Thus the Irish province would not have taken the decision lightly in moving the secondrow.
The towering South African’s return to peak form did not go unnoticed, attracting interest from around the world. Speculation about a potential return to South Africa was rife, but reports from L’Equipe suggest that Snyman has inked a deal with Bath, bringing him under the leadership of director of rugby Johann van Graan.
Van Graan, who played a crucial role in bringing Snyman to Munster, joined Bath at the beginning of the previous season, demonstrating his influence in recruiting talents like Scottish fly-half Finn Russell.
Snyman’s addition to Bath’s roster is expected to bolster the team’s physicality and offloading capabilities, offering a significant boost to their progress under Van Graan’s guidance.
The reunion between the South African powerhouse and Van Graan suggests a strategic move by Bath, securing a player of Snyman’s stature to enhance their forward pack. If the deal goes through, it could prove to be a shrewd and impactful acquisition for the Premiership side, signalling their intent to compete at the highest level.
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