Munster fans were delighted to have Jean Kleyn back in the fold this past weekend. A game in which Leinster were heavily favoured by 15 points prior to kick off, really felt like one that Munster should have won by the end. Their performance this past week was bolstered in no uncertain terms by the return of their World Cup winning lock.
Since Kleyn's return to the South Africa squad ahead of the World Cup, those associated with Munster knew that there would be a difficult decision to make down the track. Graham Rowntree said as much, "He knew, we knew, all parties knew, that it was going to be challenging keeping hold on him."
Kleyn signs new deal
Munster have announced that, along with John Hodnett and Liam Coombes, Kleyn will be staying with the province beyond the end of this season. Disappointingly this has come at the cost of letting one of the world's finest second rows go, RG Snyman.
Munster Rugby are pleased to announce that Jean Kleyn, John Hodnett & Liam Coombes have all signed contract extensions 🙌
We can also confirm that RG Snyman will depart for a new playing opportunity on completion of his contract at the end of the season.
Full story ⤵️#SUAF 🔴— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 27, 2023
Snyman departure
San Francisco 49ers tightend, George Kittle, said after a lay off with injury, "In this game the best ability is availability." The decision on whether to keep Kleyn or RG Snyman may well have boiled down to this very point. Kleyn played 1,437 minutes from the available 2,080 in a 2022/23 season ultimately ended in silverware. This takes nothing away from the vital role that Snyman played down the stretch last season but after 2 ACL surgeries and now a shoulder injury which will see him miss "months not weeks" according to Graeme Rowntree, it was a decision that was likely made on this premise.
Graham Rowntree said "months rather than weeks" for RG Snyman returning to play.
Had a quick look at his minutes.
- 2023/24 for South Africa: 342 minutes
- Total for Munster since 2019/20: 268 minutes— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) November 7, 2023
It is a decision that all parties will understand. With the emergence of Edwin Edogbo and Thomas Ahern as well as having one of Ireland's finest in Tadhg Beirne, it is a position where Munster are well stocked. While Snyman's next destination has not been released, those at Munster will be hoping he can play a similar role in the back half of the season so that he and Kleyn can try and get their hands on another trophy. Snyman himself will be hoping to return to give more of himself to a province which has looked after him so well in what has certainly been a difficult time on the injury front for the 'Potchefstroom Viking'.
