Munster have confirmed that RG Snyman suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament tear (ACL) during the province's Pro14 defeat to Leinster at the Aviva stadium at the weekend.
The Springbok international and World Cup winner, who was making his debut for the province, sustained the damage when landing awkwardly after stealing a lineout. An MRI scan confirmed the damage and Snyman will now meet with a specialist to discuss surgery and management.
It’s hugely disappointing for an exceptional rugby player and someone that has proved popular since his arrival in the province. The timeframe for an ACL tear following surgical intervention is between six and nine months.
It is also another example of the provinces and new signings getting off to an injury bedevilled start. Tyler Bleyendaal picked up a neck injury in New Zealand that delayed his Munster debut, an issue that periodically resurfaced and eventually forced his premature retirement at the end of last season.
Marcell Coetzee only made five appearances for Ulster in his first two years at the province because of successive knee injuries while current defence coach, former player and Irish international Jared Payne tore his Achilles tendon in a game a month after arriving in Belfast from New Zealand and missed the remainder of the season.
Former Leinster captain Isa Nacewa broke his arm in just his third game and spent a few months on the sideline.
There was also bad news in relation to a couple of Irish internationals in prop Dave Kilcoyne and Jean Kleyn, both of whom also picked up injuries in the Leinster match and have been ruled out in the short term. Kilcoyne damaged an ankle while Kleyn sustained a neck ligament issue.
Munster coach Johann van Graan may turn to Tadhg Beirne, if he is match ready after recovering from injury, as a partner for Billy Holland in the secondrow for Sunday’s game against Connacht at the Aviva stadium. Ireland Under-20 international Thomas Ahern and Paddy Kelly have also been training with the senior squad.
