Hopes of Springbok lock RG Snyman returning to South Africa to play for a local franchise took a dive on Thursday when he extended his contract by one year with Irish juggernaut Leinster.
Snyman, the double World Cup winner who started at the Bulls before heading to Ireland via Japan, joined Leinster last season and has now made 14 appearances for them, scoring four tries.
His initial contract was only for one season but Leinster were given a clearance to sign him for another year. According to reports in Irish media, Snyman has stipulations in the contract as to when he can be played, and thus has only been among the replacements for Leinster’s Champions’ Cup campaign this season.
Leinster face the Hollywoodbets Sharks this weekend, days after Bulls coach Jake White lamented the failure of keeping Snyman in Pretoria.
🗣️ "You see kids coming down the water slide or someone having a beer down the other end."
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 27, 2025
RG Snyman is excited to return to the Shark Tank this weekend as his team look to bounce back from their #VURC loss in Pretoria.
đź“ş The Sharks host Leinster on Saturday at 19:15. pic.twitter.com/EFsHFLiBm2
White was asked how he gets the Bulls up to the standard of giants in Europe and solidifies Loftus Versfeld as a fortress and Snyman was the first answer he gave.
When asked how he could change the team’s form at home, White stated that getting former Bulls players back to the franchise would do it, pointing to the impact that Leinster signings RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett have made.
“I sign guys like RG Snyman to come back here and I do that,” he said. “And now you look at me like I’m crazy but look at RG, shouldn’t he be playing for the Bulls?
“Then home form and everything falls into place. We saw that game tonight, the one guy in the forwards that controls everything is RG and the one guy in the backs controlling everything is Jordie Barrett.
“Now between them, they have probably got more test caps than we have URC games.
"So don’t underestimate that when you have a tighthead prop that has played for France, you have a lock that has won two World Cups, and a centre that controls all of the attack – and he moved from 12 to 15, they didn’t take him off because they realise how important he is to their team.
“Our home form is not a switch. I’m going to keep saying that if we had RG and guys who should be playing in South Africa, our home form would be completely different because we would be stronger and our team would have more depth.
“And that takes nothing away from the guys that came off the bench today. I’m really happy for them but I’m longing for the day that I can stand in the change room and see 23 Springboks sitting there. That’s my pipe dream while I’m at the Bulls.”
Snyman’s decision means that at least for the next season, he isn’t available for the Bulls to bring him home. White’s hope will remain a dream for now, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bulls keep trying.