Victor Matfield believes lock RG Snyman should spend more time on the field for the Springboks.
Snyman was thrust into action in the ninth minute of the Rugby Championship match in Wellington on Saturday when Lood de Jager went off injured, and made a major impact.
The 30-year-old won three lineouts, completed all four of his tackles and carried six times, including a powerful surge for the Boks’ fourth try as they ran riot in the final quarter.
Matfield felt the performance underlined why Snyman deserves a bigger shift.
“RG Snyman brings something different – carrying, offloads, physicality. Maybe it’s time he plays a bit longer and not just the last 30 minutes,” he said on the Rugby Rivals podcast.
Snyman has made four appearances for the Boks this season, with 33 minutes of game time against Italy in Pretoria, 35 against Georgia in Nelspruit and 44 against the Wallabies in Cape Town in his only start.
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Matfield hailed South Africa’s overall display in their record 43-10 win, while singling out the midfielders in a new-look backline.
“It was an outstanding performance by the Springboks. I thought the second half was one of the best 40 minutes of rugby I’ve seen from a team.
“We started putting the pressure on in the first half – two tries didn’t count – and then with our forward dominance and the dry conditions, the younger backs really had a chance to play.
“Damian Willemse hasn’t started a lot at 12, but we’ve all said he’s got the potential there – and he was fantastic. Canan Moodie too; 13 is his position, and he took his opportunity.”
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The former Bok captain also loved what he saw up front.
“Our set piece was very good. The scrum looked strong – that first one after half time and then when the Bomb Squad came on. I’m a big Wilco Louw fan. Somehow it works: he comes on and gives you that huge scrum, and we score. It’s two weeks in a row now.
“The lineout started slowly but once Ruan [Nortje] grew in confidence, we got into it, contested well, and scored off a clean steal.”
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Matfield felt Jasper Wiese – back in the No 8 jersey after serving a suspension – set the tone for the visitors.
“Jasper Wiese was immense – big post-contact metres, never gives a step back. He put us on the front foot and gave energy to everyone around him.”
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As for selection going forward, Matfield expects Rassie Erasmus to keep using the full squad and tailor the backline to conditions.
“Rassie won’t just stick with one XV. If it’s wet, you might pick a different backline; if it’s dry, guys like Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] and Manie [Libbok] can run on the gain line all day and use the little kicks. The point is we can mix it up.”
Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
