Munster have confirmed that the Springboks’ World Cup-winning lock pair Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman have made opposing decisions on their future at the club.
The defending Vodacom URC champions announced on Monday that Snyman has decided to part ways with the club at the end of the season.
Snyman joined Munster in 2020, after helping the Springboks win the 2019 World Cup. However, his time in Limerick has been blighted by successive knee injuries and, most recently, a shoulder injury suffered in the 2023 World Cup final.
The 28-year-old, who has previously turned out for the Vodacom Bulls and Japanese club Honda Heat, suffered the first of his knee injuries on his Munster debut in 2020.
Following an extended period on the sidelines, Snyman returned but suffered another knee ligament injury in his fourth match for the club.
Snyman returned to action in time to play in the latter parts of last season, but has been ruled out for most of the current season after undergoing surgery on a chest injury suffered in the 12-11 victory over the All Blacks in Paris.
Meanwhile, Munster confirmed that Jean Kleyn, who switched nationalities back to South Africa after representing Ireland at the 2019 World Cup, has signed a new two-year contract with the club.
Both locks played a huge part in Munster’s Vodacom URC title victory, but Kleyn’s decision to represent the Springboks put the club in a difficult situation.
Kleyn’s switch meant that he was no longer recognised as an Irish-qualified player, which meant that Munster could only keep one of the two South African locks, due to the IRFU system designed to promote young Irish talent. Snyman was already registered as an NIQ (non-Irish qualified) player.
Despite Snyman’s injury record, it has been reported that more than one local franchise is interested in signing him, but they would have to compete with interest from France and Japan.
Photo: ©INPHO/James Crombie