RG Snyman determined to stay positive despite 'very disappointing' third ACL injury

The South African suffered the unfortunate injury in Leinster's March 21 defeat at Glasgow, limping away from Scotstoun having suffered an ACL tear in his right knee.

It follows two previous ACL tears in his left knee, one in August 2020 and then again in October 2021.

"It's very disappointing, and it's the third time I have done it," Snyman told Ireland AM. "It's a familiar road for me that lies ahead but, within that, it's also difficult because you know what you need to do to get back and the long road.

"It's kind of harder to know what's coming but, in saying that, you know where the shortcomings and the shortfalls will be, and you can try and avoid it or at least make it a little bit better."

The South African second-rower has found support within the Leinster squad, where a lengthy injury list has created a tight-knit group of sidelined players pushing each other through rehab.

"Definitely it's something you fall back onto, the people around you and they kind of support you and pick you up in times when it does get tough," he explained. "Unfortunately, we have quite a few guys injured at the moment at Leinster. We try to hang around and get our gym sessions together and just have a bit of fun with it."

Despite his own absence, Snyman is eagerly anticipating this weekend's United Rugby Championship final, which pits his current side Leinster against the Bulls - the franchise where he began his professional career.

"It's shaping up to be one of the great games in the URC and finals, especially because it's kind of a repeat of last season's final," Snyman said.

"There is a little bit extra that goes into it from both sides because it's quite a long season and it all builds up to this moment and being in Dublin again and we are going to Croke Park again. Bulls versus Leinster, it's going to be a massive occasion and something to look forward to."

Snyman's ties to the Bulls run deep. He attended school just across the road from Loftus Versfeld and credits the Pretoria side with shaping him as a player.

"That is obviously where I got my break and where I learned my skillset," he reflected. “I had a great time, learned a lot. That group we had together at the Bulls at the time was quite special and we became good friends. It's great now to see how the guys have kicked on.”