Rassie Erasmus eyes replacement as injury curse robs Springboks of RG Snyman for 2026
SPRINGBOKS
Giant Springboks lock RG Snyman is out injured for the rest of the season according to Leinster.
Image: AFP
The Springboks management learned last month that RG Snyman had injured his knee playing for Leinster against Glasgow Warriors, but the severity of the injury has likely caught them by surprise.
For the third time in his career, Snyman has suffered a season-ending ACL rupture, which carries a six-to-nine-month rehabilitation period. This means he will play no rugby for the Boks in 2026 — a significant setback ahead of the "Greatest Rivalry" series against the All Blacks, and a devastating blow to the 31-year-old, who might have hoped his ill luck had finally run its course.
Snyman’s first two ACL ruptures occurred in his left knee (2020 and 2021), while this latest blow in March affected his right. The rugby gods have frowned on Snyman more often than not; during his first ACL rehab with Munster, a fire-pit accident resulted in severe burns, ruling him out of the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour.
When fit, Snyman is among the world’s most dynamic players — evidenced by his being named the URC Players' Player of the Season for 2024/25. However, his misfortune restricted him to only 20 appearances across four seasons at Munster. His first rupture famously came just seven minutes into his Munster debut following the 2019 World Cup triumph.
After that 2019 final victory over England in Japan, the injury curse meant Snyman did not play for the Springboks again until 8 July 2023, against Australia in Pretoria. It ultimately took him eight years from his 2018 debut to reach his 50th cap, which he earned last November against Ireland in Dublin.
That remains Snyman’s last Test, and he will only have the opportunity to add to his tally in 2027—injury permitting. The solitary silver lining is that he has time to recover for the Boks’ defence of the World Cup in Australia next year.
Rassie Erasmus at least knows where he stands. He has shown an increasing interest in JJ van der Mescht, the 26-year-old former Junior Springbok who has been displaying great form—and a newfound maturity — in the English Premiership with Northampton Saints.
At 146kg and 2m tall, the lock is highly athletic despite his bulk and would be a "like-for-like" replacement for Snyman in terms of the impact he could provide from the Bomb Squad.