Springboks Rugby

RG Snyman Admitted He Expected to Face Team-mate Gesture Towards Springboks Powerhouse

RG Snyman admitted that he “expected” to be targeted by the Munster supporters after facing the team he left in the summer.

The Springboks powerhouse made the controversial move to arch-rivals Leinster and started in the clash at Croke Park on Saturday.

Snyman was featuring in his home debut and made a try-scoring impact as the Dubliners claimed a comfortable 26-12 victory in front of over 80,000 supporters.

He featured for 50 minutes before boos rang out from Munster fans when he was replaced, although they were soon drowned out by the Leinster faithful.

The lock also revealed that he made the error ahead of the encounter of doing his preparation right in front of where the visiting supporters were situated.

‘In good spirits’

“I was kind of expecting that. We picked a really bad corner to warm up in, I felt like all the Munster supporters were sitting there. I felt it in the warm-up but it’s always in good spirits,” he told Leinster’s X (formerly Twitter) account.

It was not just the Munster supporters that gave him some stick as Mike Haley jokingly flipped the double bird at Snyman in a light-hearted moment following the match.

Haley then smiled and embraced the double Rugby World Cup-winner, who was playing his second game for Leinster having featured against Benetton last weekend.

The second-row added: “It was an unbelievable atmosphere. It was special to see all the supporters come out and get behind us. We really felt it and it was just incredible to be out there.

“Just before half-time there, it was nice to get over the line. I think there was somebody latching onto me as well to get across.

“It was some atmosphere, I can’t really explain it. Coming off the field as well, it was just special to see everyone’s reaction.

“I’ve settled in really well here, the guys have been very welcoming and have been looking after me a little bit, so it’s been a good couple of weeks. It’s great to be playing in Dublin for the first time and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

‘Mixed response’

Snyman will have to wait to make his first appearance at Leinster’s usual home at the RDS Arena as fans packed out Croke Park in what was a special occasion for Irish rugby.

“Yeah, it’s weird thinking ‘home’ in Croke Park. RG has been fantastic – 50 minutes last week, 50 minutes again today, gets in for a try,” head coach Leo Cullen said.

“A mixed response coming off, but yeah, he’s been great since he’s come into the group and hopefully he can kick on now. We’re really pleased.”

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