RG a slice of pure Bull
IF YOU are looking for a true blue Bull then look no further than lock RG Snyman.
It seems like all of Snyman’s rugby life, as young as it is, has been about serving the Bulls from his formative years at Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool (Affies) to his desire to emulate his heroes in winning the Super Rugby title.
And in his breakthrough year in 2016 Snyman showed the lengths he is willing to go for the men in blue by almost playing in the Currie Cup final against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, even with a fracture to his forehead.
Snyman’s commitment to the Bulls has not waned over the past two years, even though the Pretoria-based outfit have had little to no joy on the field of play.
Having missed last year’s domestic season to take up a lucrative contract with Japanese outfit Honda Heat, Snyman has returned with an even greater desire to help the Bulls rise from the doldrums while making a charge for Springbok honours.
Standing at 2.06m and weighing an intimidating 120kg, Snyman knows he is on the cusp of forcing his way into the national team and make life uncomfortable for incumbents Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager and Pieter-Steph du Toit.
What sets Snyman apart from most locks in South Africa is his ability to be dominant in the lineout with his towering figure, but he also possesses the brute force that makes him an imposing threat in the less chartered alleys of forward play.
As much as Snyman epitomises that old-school Bulls and Springbok lock, he is also a valuable asset in the evolution of the game that also demands members of the tight five to have the ability to add value out wide.
Snyman is no slouch on the outside, and showed his speed when he chased down then Southern Kings wing Makazole Mapimpi, 27, in a Super Rugby game at Loftus last year.
With all the attributes needed for the modern-day lock and a positive attitude as well, it will come as no surprise if the 23-year-old Snyman enjoys his best season yet.
It should be a season of good fortune for Snyman and his beloved Bulls team, and it will be made more memorable by a call-up to the Bok squad.
“I think so (the competition will be more familiar) doing it after a second season.
“You may think you know what to expect, but not entirely. This year we will have a better idea of what is coming and what happens. We are positive and looking forward to it,” Snyman said about the upcoming Super Rugby season.
DID YOU KNOW? RG Snyman ran the 100m and 200m at school