SNYMAN HAILS REDS WELCOME
WORLD Cup winner RG Snyman said that the welcome he received when he came on to make his Thomond Park debut against the
Sharks will remain with him forever.
The Springbok, injured just eight minutes into his debut against Leinster in August last year at the Aviva Stadium, received a rapturous welcome when he came off the bench to replace Fineen Wychlerley after 66 minutes in their 42-17 win over the Sharks on Saturday.
The crowd of over 11,000, back at
Thomond for the first time in a year and a half, were in fine fettle by then as Munster led 27-10, with Snyman’s welcome being elongated by him having to run to the far side of the field when he came on.
“It was honestly one of the more memorable moments in my rugby career and it is something I will remember forever and I have to thank everyone who was there for that,” said the 26-year old.
Injury
“It was really amazing and such a long way to run across the pitch as well and everyone kept cheering. Honestly, a goosebump moment for me.”
Snyman spent last season recovering from the cruciate injury and then suffered another knee issue last May before being injured in a firepit accident which required a skin- graft.
Part of his recovery was in South Africa but he returned to Limerick to complete it and Munster fans got to see him in action for the first time as Johann van Graan’s men started the season in such impressive fashion.
“It was great to be back at Thomond Park with all the fans and such a warm welcome to the team and I hope we did them proud.
“I know I only got a little bit of time but it was great to be out there, to be back on the field and amongst the boys.
Lucky
“I’m lucky in the sense that I missed a bit of time while the fans were out because this was absolutely amazing.
“It was nice to prepare for the Sharks. I was preparing with a team that hasn’t faced them before, so it was good to face an old enemy in a new way.
“We had a good week of prep and a good way for me to start off again against a South African team.”
The focus will now switch to another South African team as Munster face Stormers at Thomond on Saturday.