RG Snyman's move from Munster to rivals Leinster has today been confirmed, ending Bath's hopes of bringing the two-time World Cup winner to the Recreation Ground.
Snyman was reported to be on the verge of signing for Bath on the front page of The Rugby Paper earlier this month, in a move that would have seen him link up with the man who brought him to Ireland initially, Johann van Graan.
But Leinster's late intervention, reported late last week, has seen them capitalise on Snyman's desire to remain on the Emerald Isle where he and his wife have settled nicely since 2018.
“Having settled really well in Limerick since our arrival in Ireland almost four years ago, my wife and I want to stay on in Ireland if possible,” Snyman said.
“Continuing with Munster Rugby beyond June of 2024 was no longer a choice I could exercise. I will continue to give my absolute all and best for Munster, on and off the field, until the end of the season.
“After careful consideration of all offers presented, the Leinster opportunity was the one I decided on. It is an invitation that allows me to continue to stay part of a world-class high performance rugby set-up. It also enables my wife and I to stay in Ireland.
“At Leinster, I will continue to be challenged to my utmost limit to improve my game and hopefully contribute to improve the club. That will be my only job and I intend to do everything to achieve this at the highest level of performance.”
The move will come as a surprise to some, and entrench others' views that Leinster receive a degree of favouritism from the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) over the other provinces on the island, especially considering the second row is set to earn €500,000 at Munster's neighbours.
Snyman will be re-united with World Cup winning coach Jacques Nienaber, who joined Leinster following the tournament as a senior coach.
He added: “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and to work under Jacques Nienaber again. I want to thank Leinster for making it possible.”
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