Locked and loaded Boks ready to go
SPOTLIGHT: The return of RG Snyman and Franco Mostert is a huge boost to the Springboks’ lock stocks ahead of their three-week end-of-year tour to Europe according to Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids.
It’s been a long time, but the return of Franco Mostert and RG Snyman has been a welcoming addition to the Springbok squad.
Franco Mostert’s last act for the Boks came in the second Test against Ireland after sustaining a leg fracture in the one point loss to the number one ranked team in the world.
Snyman’s last act in a Springbok jersey came in the 64-21 rout of tier-two nation Portugal in Bloemfontein before suffering a foot injury which saw him being ruled out of the 2024 Rugby Championship after initially being named in the starting lineup to face Australia in the opening Test.
The Boks managed to secure the Rugby Championship, Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate and Freedom Cup without the locking duo’s services – with the likes of Salmaan Moerat and Ruan Nortje stepping up brilliantly in their absence.
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With Moerat ruled out with injury and Jean Kleyn not making the cut, Snyman and Mostert’s experience will be of utmost importance in what might be tough Northern Hemisphere conditions.
Snyman, has made an impressive return to his new club side Leinster, having scored two tries in three games for the powerhouse Irish province and has had ample experience playing in similar conditions having previously represented Munster since 2020.
Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids felt that it’s ‘massive’ for the side to have the duo back in terms of their leadership and experience.
“It’s very good to get some experience back into the side, they’re always very helpful within the team environment and obviously also when you play against quality teams it’s good to have that experience around,” Davids said.
“But we also had the chance to give new guys an opportunity which I believe have really grown in their role in the team, and it’s good to see for us in terms of the bigger picture – there’s a positive to that we could give them that exposure which will help us in the future.
“Having guys like RG [Snyman] and Franco [Mostert] back into the squad is massive for us for the next three weeks.” Davids added.
Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)
