Leinster confirmed the signing of RG Snyman on a one year contract, on Tuesday afternoon. The South African second row, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, will join Leinster from Munster ahead of the 2024/25 season. However, it is unlikely that a contract extension beyond the year will be sanctioned by the IRFU.
Snyman's time at Munster has been plagued by injury. He has played just 10 times since joining in the summer of 2020.
The 6' 9" lock had also been linked with a move to English Premiership side Bath, where former Munster head coach Johann van Graan currently holds the reins.
22 August 2020; Caelan Doris of Leinster contests a line-out with RG Snyman of Munster during the Guinness PRO14 Round 14 match between Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
RG Snyman latest from @RuaidhriOC 👇
Leinster have secured RG Snyman on a one-year contract and it is unlikely that the IRFU will sanction an extension. https://t.co/gkvhr729Uq
— Irish Independent Sport (@IndoSport) December 19, 2023
Snyman said he and his wife have "settled really well in Limerick" since their arrival in Ireland and so wished to remain in the country.
Munster announced last month that they had chosen to retain the services of Jean Kleyn and that Snyman would depart when his contract expires at the end of the season. It was reported earlier this week that Leinster had offered Snyman at €500,000 per season deal.
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15 October 2023; South Africa players, from left, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, and RG Snyman after the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between France and South Africa at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
"Continuing with Munster Rugby beyond June of 2024, was no longer a choice I could exercise," Snyman told the Leinster Rugby website.
"I will continue to give my absolute all and best for Munster, on and off the field, until the end of the season.
"After careful consideration of all offers presented, the Leinster opportunity was the one I decided on. It is an invitation that allows me to continue to stay part of a world class high performance rugby set-up. It also enables my wife and I to stay in Ireland.
"I am a professional rugby player. I need to work very hard to see to it that I add value to any system that trusts me enough to improve its cause.
"At Leinster, I will continue to be challenged to my utmost limit to improve my game and hopefully contribute to improve the club.
"That will be my only job and I intend to do everything to achieve this at the highest level of performance.
"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and to work under Jacques Nienaber again. I want to thank Leinster for making it possible.”
27 May 2023; Munster players, from left, RG Snyman, Peter O'Mahony, Alex Kendellen and Jack Crowley celebrate after the United Rugby Championship Final match between DHL Stormers and Munster at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Sportsfile
Snyman is currently out of action due to an injury sustained during South Africa's World Cup final victory over the All Blacks.
"He is a world class operator, coming into his prime and a powerful athlete who will bring more competition to that position for our squad," said Leinster head coach Leo Cullen.
"He is also a double-World Cup winning Springbok and all that brings in terms of experience and all our players can tap into that. We are always looking for ways we can improve our learning as a group and I know from speaking to Jacques that RG will hopefully help us do just that.
"His arrival is a fair bit away yet, but it’s great to have his signature and in time we can welcome him properly, but for now it’s all eyes on our trip down to Limerick on St Stephen’s Day."
