Springbok forwards coach Deon Davids has confirmed that lock RG Snyman has left the squad to undergo a skin graft on the burns he suffered last month.
News broke last month that Munster’s Bok duo – Snyman and Damian de Allende – had sustained burns to their legs, hands and face after being involved in an accident along with two other Munster teammates Mike Haley and CJ Stander.
The quartet required treatment for burns following the incident, but while the latter two had superficial burns, the Bok pair sustained more substantial burns, and have been consulting with a local specialist since returning to South Africa.
A report in Netwerk24 suggested that Snyman could be in a race against time to be fit for the three Tests against the British & Irish Lions as the specialist recommended that he undergo a skin transplant as the burns on his knee are more severe than initially believed.
When asked about Snyman’s status during an online Springbok press conference on Sunday, assistant coach Davids confirmed that the World Cup-winner had a “small chance” of being involved in the Lions series.
“RG Snyman is currently out of the squad, he is not with us. He went for a skin graft operation. Obviously, he will start his process of rehabilitation. As he recovers and we get medical updates, he will return to the squad.
“At this stage, I think there will be a small chance that he will be part of the British & Irish Lions Test series, but he will definitely return for the remaining Test fixtures in the Rugby Championship and end-of-year tour.”
The Springboks will be hoping for positive updates on Eben Etzebeth’s fitness after he went off at half-time in the first Test against Georgia with an apparent rib injury.
Davids was more positive on Etzebeth, but said that the coaching staff was awaiting further update’s on his status from the medical team.
“Eben got a rib injury on Friday. He was assessed and was quite fine this morning,” Davids said. “The medical team is still assessing him. The head coach will then make a decision on his availability for this weekend. Maybe in a day or two, we will have a final call on him.”
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