SNYMAN HITS 50 IN BOK LINEUP PACKED WITH EXPERIENCE

Lock RG Snyman is set to hit a major milestone this weekend. The 30-year-old will earn his 50th cap for the Springboks in their showdown with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

It’s a special moment, especially since he’s built much of his career in Ireland, playing for Leinster and counting many of his opponents as close friends.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a strong and experienced Bok team. After giving many first-choice players a breather against Italy, he’s rolled back out the core squad that romped past France earlier in the tour, making just two personnel changes.

One switch sees Ruan Nortjé promoted into the starting second row in place of Lood de Jager, while Kwagga Smith returns to the bench. On the backline, Canan Moodie shifts out wide to wing, filling the gap left by Kurt-Lee Arendse’s concussion.

Erasmus says the veteran-heavy squad is deliberate; most of these guys have played Ireland before, many in Dublin. He believes that kind of experience is exactly what’s needed for such a physical and high-stakes Test.

Snyman himself says playing his 50th Test in Ireland is “very special”. He knows plenty of the Irish players, and he’s hungry to earn their respect. It’s a milestone earned the hard way. Injuries once stalled his international career, but he’s come back stronger, and now he’s right in the thick of one of the biggest games on the tour.

Image credit: The Citizen