It was just lately confirmed that the Boks’ World Cup-winning lock RG Snyman will nonetheless be unavailable for the primary few rounds of the brand new URC season, but it surely now seems that his absence may lengthen in direction of the tip of the yr.
Snyman arrived in Ireland in May 2020 to affix Munster following the cancellation of the rest of the 2019–20 Japan Top League resulting from Covid-19. The Bok lock then made his debut for Munster of their 27–25 defeat in opposition to Leinster on 22 August 2020, although his first look for the province lasted solely seven minutes after he suffered a torn ACL throughout a lineout.
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It was the beginning of loads of difficult occasions to come back for Snyman, who has been beset with accidents all through his first stint with Munster, whereas he was additionally dramatically concerned in a firepit accident final yr, with the towering second rower struggling extreme burns.
Towards the tip of final yr, highly effective lock underwent knee surgical procedure after re-rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, with Snyman having managed simply 4 appearances in two years for Munster, whereas he has largely been unavailable to the Springboks.
In what appeared to be some encouraging information on the injury entrance, although, Munster just lately confirmed there are optimistic indicators by way of his restoration. Yet, the newest replace will not be so optimistic, and it seems extremely unlikely that Snyman might be out there for the Boks or his membership any time quickly.
“He’s not quite there yet,” Munster head coach Graham Rowntree commented. “He’s had a really tough yr and we’re not pushing him. All I can say at this level, for the foreseeable, he’s not fairly prepared but.”
Meanwhile, there may be at the least extra optimistic information elsewhere for the Boks.
In the center of the Rugby Championship, it was confirmed that Pollard had picked up a knee injury and though it was initially thought that he could also be out of motion for six weeks, subsequent stories indicated it could possibly be longer than that.
Bok coach Jacques Nienaber just lately prompt it was unlikely that Pollard can be out there for the Boks’ upcoming end-of-year tour, however there was a optimistic replace after the flyhalf underwent additional assessments at English membership, the Leicester Tigers.
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It’s reported that Pollard was already a travelling reserve for Saturday’s victory over Northampton Saints.
“The body is good,” he stated. “I am really coming along nicely. [I’m] Just trying to get as much done as possible. I’ve still got a couple of boxes to tick, from the initial diagnosis we had in Australia, I’ve come back to London and got a different one, which was a lot more positive. I’m working hard, it’s really feeling good, so we will see how we go on from here.”
It’s already been confirmed that Pollard didn’t endure a recurrence of an ACL rupture that he suffered throughout his time enjoying in France.
“This is completely different,” he stated. “It’s a little bit of a tear in the meniscus. It’s a lot better than we originally thought and it’s going really well. We’re still taking it day by day. We’ve still got a couple of boxes to tick but I am very excited and optimistic. I should be good to go for the Autumn series.”
Pollard’s expertise was missed by the Boks
After Pollard was injured, Damian Willemse shifted to flyhalf earlier than struggling a concussion that left the Boks able the place that they had little choice however to show to Frans Steyn, who final Saturday began his first Test at 10 since 2008.
The Springboks presently discover themselves in third place within the newest World Rugby rankings following the conclusion of the 2022 Rugby Championship.
Tournament winners, the All Blacks, are in fourth.
Ireland proceed to paved the way forward of France, whereas Australia have plummeted to a lowly ninth place, under Argentina who completed backside of the Rugby Championship log.
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TOP 10 IN THE LATEST WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS:
1. Ireland – 90.03
2. France – 89.41
3. South Africa – 89.00
4. New Zealand – 87.30
5. England – 86.25
6. Scotland – 81.93
7. Wales – 81.28
8. Argentina – 81.21
9. Australia – 80.65
10. Japan – 77.74
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