Springbok lock RG Snyman will in all likelihood miss this year’s Rugby Championship after it was confirmed on Tuesday that he will undergo knee surgery soon.
Snyman left the field in the seventh minute of his debut match for Irish club Munster against Leinster last weekend with a knee injury.
And the club yesterday revealed coach Johann van Graan’s worst fear - a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Munster announced: “It has been confirmed that the province’s newest debutant, RG Snyman, sustained an ACL tear in the opening minutes of Saturday night’s PRO14 encounter against Leinster.
“The lock will meet with the specialist next to discuss surgery and management.”
ACL injuries usually mean a spell of six to nine months on the sidelines, meaning Snyman won’t be available when the Boks start their Championship defence in November.