His last appearance in the green and gold was against England in the Rugby World Cup Final in Tokyo on 2 November 2019, so it wasn’t surprising to see RG Snyman walking around with a massive smile as he returned to the Springbok camp after an absence of nearly four years.
It was almost apt that the towering Munster lock joined the Boks in Pretoria, where he cut his teeth playing for the Vodacom Bulls, as he aims to stake a claim for a second Rugby World Cup appearance later this year.
The 28-year-old Snyman, who has 23 Test caps to his name, addressed the media at the team hotel on Wednesday and said he was delighted to be back in the squad.
“It’s special to be back in the squad and to train with the group again after my injuries,” said Snyman.
“It’s an opportunity I won’t take for granted and it’s an honour to be here, and it’s nice knowing how the set-up works as I’ve been here before.”
Snyman was joined in Pretoria by his Munster team-mate Jean Kleyn, who the national coaches started tracking after qualifying for national selection, and who had a stellar season helping his Irish club to clinch the Vodacom United Rugby Championship title.
Snyman said: “Having Jean Kleyn here is also special. He’s had a good season. I think he started every game for Munster.”