Munster and Springboks lock RG Snyman is delighted to be back on the field and claims his game is “coming back pretty quickly”.
The monstrous South African has had a torrid time with injuries since joining Munster after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, making only eight appearances during that period.
His return to the field in March was welcomed across the rugby community but none more than Snyman himself, who is simply grateful to return to the field of play.
On his way
However, the World Cup-winner admits it has been difficult to get up to speed with the intensity required but feels he is on his way to returning to his best.
“It’s great, honestly,” Snyman said. “It felt like I was living the ultimate fan experience for about two years – training with the squad, gym with them, be around them but don’t really play. So, it’s so great to be back on the field and being able to contribute, actually being on the field and doing your thing. It is quite a challenge.
“At the start, when I got back into training, it felt like I was about two steps behind everyone; then getting into games again, it felt like everyone sees the game a little bit faster than you.
“I guess that’s normal getting back into the game after being injured for such a long time. Luckily, it’s coming back pretty quickly. Also, the way we’ve been training and the systems they have put in place; training-wise and leading up to the game in the week before helped me a lot to get up to speed quite quickly.”
Considering the star has spent so much time on the sidelines over the last couple of years, it is unrealistic to compare his game to the standards he was playing at before the injuries set in.
New benchmark
His focus is now on building and improving weekly rather than looking back at where his performance level once was.
“It’s strange,” he reveals. “It’s like restarting your career, but you have all the knowledge you built up before after being out for so long. So I wouldn’t, at this stage, put myself on that standard.
“I’m trying to do what I can each week to build it up and to get better and build on the previous week and make sure I do what I need to do to be better this week.”
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His return has come with some good form, as he showed in the clash against the Stormers in round 17, where Munster ended the hosts’ 19-game win streak.
Snyman hopes that he can show off his quality and push for national selection at the World Cup in France later this year.
“I hope the performances I put in now and every moment I get, I want to show I am capable of being back with the Springboks and putting my hand up [for Rugby World Cup selection].”