Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says it was a “difficult but necessary” call to name RG Snyman on the bench for his 50th Test.
The towering lock will reach the milestone against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, but won’t start. Erasmus admitted the decision weighed heavily on him.
“I thought that question was going to come, and it’s a valid one,” Erasmus said on Thursday. “It would have been lovely to let him start the match, but I think the best for the team is for him to play off the bench.”
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Erasmus stressed that Snyman’s omission from the run-on XV had nothing to do the player’s preference for a bench role.
“He also loves to start, he loves to play as long as he can – most players do. He knows his role off the bench, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to start.”
With injuries thinning the lock stocks, Snyman was always guaranteed selection, Erasmus said, and the two had a frank discussion earlier in the week.
“We did have a quick chat about, ‘Listen, it’s your 50th – would you mind playing off the bench?’ No problem. He totally understands,” Erasmus said. “He’s grateful just to be in the team, especially with two locks not available and one injured.”
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Snyman will still lead the team out to mark the occasion – before taking his place among the replacements.
“I guess that will feel a bit weird,” Erasmus said with a smile. “But he’s not worried to sacrifice anything for the team.”
For Erasmus, the call was ultimately simple: sentiment is important, but winning in Dublin matters more.
“It would’ve been lovely to start him,” he said, “but the team comes first.”
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Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
