RG Snyman's move from Munster to Leinster was one of the biggest stories in Irish provincial rugby last season.
The World Cup-winning Springbok had been on the books with Munster since 2020, though he made only a handful of appearances during an injury-riddled time with the province.
By the time his move to Leinster was confirmed last season, Snyman had yet to start a game for Munster at Thomond Park - a feat he only managed in May, almost four years after signing.
Nonetheless, Munster fans were livid to see their provincial rivals snap up such a prestige player, especially with what they perceived to be a wealth of talent already on the books in Dublin.
With James Ryan and Joe McCarthy already on the books at Leinster, it will be fascinating to see how much game time Snyman gets this season, particularly in comparison to his sporadic appearances during his time with Munster.
This week, Jacques Nienaber expanded on why Snyman decided to move to Leinster. The South African coach revealed that much of the move rested on Munster's choice to keep Jean Kleyn on the books rather than Snyman.
READ HERE: Report: Felix Jones Surprisingly Quits As England Rugby's Defensive Coach
READ HERE: Irish Olympic Rugby Star Set To Go On Trial In Bid To Earn Provincial Contract
Jacques Nienaber reveals crucial reason for RG Snyman's move to Leinster
3 March 2023; RG Snyman, left, and Jean Kleyn of Munster after the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Scarlets at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
With the rules surrounding non-Irish qualified players (NIQs) tightening in recent years, the likes of Munster have been forced to offload players to balance their squads.
Though it was unlikely that Munster would be able to carry both their Springbok locks in Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman, the decision of Snyman to join the side's fierce provincial rivals raised more than a few eyebrows.
In an interview with the Irish Independent this week, Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber explained the process that brought RG Snyman to the province for the coming season.
Nienaber confirmed the long-held belief that it was Munster who chose to let Snyman go in favour of keeping Jean Kleyn.
A guy like RG, it’s probably well documented that it was a decision Munster had to make between RG and Jean Kleyn.
They had to make a call between the two, and they went with Jean, and then RG was available.
His wife is doing some accountancy exams in Ireland, so they were keen to stay and for Leinster to come for him. I don’t think he wanted to leave, to be fair. They wanted to stay in Ireland.
I don’t think it’s all or nothing for us.
Nienaber's comments confirm what many had believed - that the decision for Snyman to leave Munster was made by the province rather than by the player.
Though that will be of little consolation to Munster fans when they see Snyman lining out in blue this season, it certainly adds a new perspective to his decision to join Leinster.
The full interview with Jacques Nienaber in the Irish Independent can be read here.
SEE ALSO: Aussie Legend Urges Joe Schmidt To Pounce On Shock All Blacks Shake Up
