RG SNYMAN

The giant Springbok is enjoying the best of both worlds since joining Leinster

- Josh Graham

THERE ARE some rivalries in sport where you’re simply not meant to play for both sides. Munster and Leinster certainly falls into that category, but it didn’t stop Springbok RG Snyman crossing the divide and moving from Limerick to Dublin for this season.

The back-to-back World Cup winner knew it would cause a stir but the opportunity to stay in Ireland, where his wife has settled and found a steady job in tax, and reunite with Jacques Nienaber was too good to turn down.

“I obviously knew what the reaction would be like,” Snyman tells Rugby World. “Especially coming from Munster, the feeling towards Leinster is very strong.

“But to work with Jacques again and be part of a club competing at the highest level consistently was great for us. We grabbed the opportunity with both hands and knew we had to deal with the reaction. It also adds a little bit of motivation and I feel like there’s a bit more excitement around Munster and Leinster and me having played for both.

“It’s exciting for me and sometimes there’s a little bit of pressure but I feel like it brings the best out of me, so it’s good.”

Nienaber left his role as Springbok head coach to replace Stuart Lancaster at Leinster after last year’s Rugby World Cup, so unlike his international colleagues, Snyman still has input from both Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus.