VIDEO: Snyman understands the assignment

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok lock RG Snyman is ready to make the Springbok No.5 jersey his own over the next few weeks in the absence of Franco Mostert.

Mostert is on the sidelines after he suffered a fractured leg in the early stages of South Africa’s 24-25 defeat to Ireland in Durban last month.

While Mostert’s workrate on the park will be missed, Snyman will be bringing a bit more skill with ball in hand with his big frame.

Snyman has been an integral member of South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad’ over the last few seasons, but he knows the assignment won’t be all that different when he starts against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday.

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“It’s always nice to get a bit more game time but the squad is so good that everyone understands their role,” said Snyman.

“Whether you start or play off the bench, we know how important both roles are.

“You just grab every opportunity that you can get.”

On that transition from the bench to a starter, Snyman added: “With physicality, there is certainly a different way you prepare going into the game, but mentally nothing much has changed.

“I think myself and Franco and all the locks, we always sit together before the game and plan what we are going to do regarding the line-out throughout the game.

“From that perspective, nothing much has changed.”

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Meanwhile, Snyman said the two-Test series against Ireland in July has prepared the team well for the rigours of the Rugby Championship.

“I don’t think we could have had better preparation than facing Ireland.

“We certainly learned a few things in those matches which we would like to carry into this competition,” said the big Bok lock.

After Saturday’s opener at Lang Park in Brisbane, the teams will battle it out again a week later in Perth in Round Two.