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'No comment at this stage' - Prem club clam up on RG Snyman as new hat thrown in ring
By Ian Cameron
Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan has clammed up on speculation linking Springbok lock RG Snyman to a transfer to the club, while a new bidder appears to have entered the ring.
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Rumours have been rife in recent weeks around the future of the giant South African forward, who is currently playing his rugby with Munster in the URC.
While he had a starring role for the Boks during the recent Rugby World Cup escapades, his time in Ireland has been sadly marked by injury upon injury. Munster have stated that they will be keeping just one of their two Springbok locks, with newly minted Bok Jean Kleyn last month being revealed as the second row that the Irish province has nailed down.
Van Graan was quizzed on the reports in France from L’Equippe which have Snyman signing a £450,000 deal to go to Bath. While Van Graan appeared to clam up when asked about any potential deal, he didn’t go as far as denying the rumours linking Snyman to the Gallagher Premiership side.
Kevin Coughlan on X clarified exactly what was said by the former Munster head coach.
“I presume you are talking about RG Snyman,” said Van Graan when quizzed about the rumours. “He’s a player I’ve coached since his school days. I’ve coached him with South Africa and Munster. I’m never going to look at any media reports or speculation… No comment at this stage.”
What JvG actually said: "I presume you are talking about RG Snyman. He’s a player I’ve coached since his schooldays. I’ve coached him with South Africa and Munster. I’m never going to look at any media reports or speculation… No comment at this stage." @bathrugby #RGSnyman
— Kevin Coughlan (@KevinFCoughlan) December 3, 2023
However, reports coming out of South Africa have thrown the cat amongst the pigeons. According to Rapport, South African URC franchise the Stormers are keen on landing the 6’9 wrecking ball, after both the Bulls and the Sharks balked at the hefty price tag for ‘The Viking’.
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Backed by new equity partners Red Disa Investments, it’s been reported that the Stormers are prepared to cough up as much as £550,000 in order to lure Snyman back to South Africa; a huge sum by South African rugby standards.
Alongside Marble Head Investments, Red Disa acquired a 74 per cent stake in Western Province Professional Rugby – the umbrella company behind the Stormers and DHL Western Province – earlier this year.
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The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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