Resilient Springboks lock RG Snyman reflects on comeback journey as he nears milestone

In a Springbok environment where milestones have become almost routine – Siya Kolisi’s 100th, Eben Etzebeth fast closing in on 150 Tests – RG Snyman’s looming 50th cap carries a resonance all of its own.

He ran out for the 49th time in the cherished green and gold in Saturday’s clash against Italy in Turin, and the fates have kindly conspired to hand him the opportunity to mark his 50th in next weekend’s blockbuster against Ireland at the home of his current club, Leinster.

For the towering lock, the landmark represents not just longevity, but survival, renewal and a deeper connection to the Springbok jersey forged through hardship few could have predicted — and many would not have survived.

Forged in fire

Snyman’s Springbok story is already decorated: two Rugby World Cup winners’ medals, iconic cameos off the bench as part of Rassie Erasmus’ much-vaunted Bomb Squad, and an aura that has made him one of the most feared and admired forwards in the world.

Yet the path between 2019 and 2024 was littered with injury, pain and personal upheaval, to the point where a milestone many players take for granted felt almost out of reach.

“You just take it week by week, so I haven’t really given it much thought,” Snyman said, reflecting on the prospect of reaching 50 Tests. “Especially celebrating Siya’s 100th — that was something special. For me, if I go out there and get 50 caps that will be unbelievable because I missed a big chunk of games from 2019 to 2024.”

Those absences were brutal: long-term injuries, rehab setbacks, and the ‘fire-pit accident’ that left Snyman and Bok teammate Damien de Allende with serious burns in 2021 — and the emotional baggage that comes with watching world rugby move on, wondering if you’ll ever catch up.

It instilled in him the determination to grab the opportunity like a perfectly placed line-out throw when it finally returned.

“It wasn’t easy and there are a lot of people who have gotten me to this point, so it’s not just me,” he said. “That was probably the most difficult time of my life, not just in my career. I learnt from it, and mentally I’m a much stronger person now.

“And that desperation to be in a Springbok jersey every weekend is something that you definitely miss when you’re not here. You cherish it so much more when you get back into the squad and into the team, just being around the guys. It’s definitely something that has been driving me.”

A special brotherhood

For Snyman, unity and brotherhood are some of the invisible threads that bind one of the most successful Springbok groups of all time. They also define his career as much as the trophies.

He has been part of some of the most dramatic and defining wins in South African rugby history.

“There are definitely some wins that will stick with me for a lifetime — obviously the World Cup wins; that win in New Zealand earlier this year; and even the win over France last week,” he said.

“It’s special memories on-field but I think the thing that stands out most is the off-field memories, just being around the team. It’s the chats around the dinner table and on the bus.

“That’s the thing you’ll miss most if you’re not part of this environment any more. It’s been something special and something that I’ll cherish forever.”

What makes the Boks special?

Snyman has been part of the system long enough to understand what fuels it. He doesn’t point to power, depth or tactics, but to the culture shaped by Erasmus and embodied by Kolisi.

“I think it’s strong leadership coming down from Rassie and our coaching staff, and then that filters into the team, into Siya, and the way he has led this team, letting other leaders around him lead by example,” he said.

“I think it’s brother leaning on brother, and that’s a strong point of this team. It might sound silly if you’re not in the circle, but it’s something we take very personally and something that drives us.”

A second rugby home

Snyman’s reinvention in Ireland after leaving the Bulls — first with Munster and now with Leinster — has shaped his form and identity as a professional player. A potential 50th Test at Leinster’s Aviva Stadium would carry added significance for the 30-year-old.

“It would be very special to me, especially because Ireland has been such a big part of my career and I’ve got so many friends over there and those I’ve played with over the years. And obviously playing some of my teammates — there’s always a little extra that goes into that. It’s people you know, so you want to earn their respect, so you go a little bit harder.”

A milestone with meaning

If Snyman runs out for his 50th cap soon, it will not be marked by fanfare or self-congratulation. It will be a quiet victory — one earned through resilience, gratitude and an unbreakable bond with the Springbok jersey.