Sidelined.

Munster Rugby look set to be without big-money signing RG Snyman for much of the 2023/24 season as his injury woes at the province continue.

The monstrous lock has played just 10 games for Munster since his arrival back in 2020, suffering two season-ending cruciate knee injuries among other issues.

He played a key role in Munster’s late march to the United Rugby Championship title last year, and featured for much of the Rugby World Cup as the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis trophy last month.

Snyman is set to leave the province at the end of the season to pursue another offer but it looks like Munster fans won’t see much of him before he goes, as the lock is not expected to return to action until March of next year as he recovers from a chest/shoulder issue picked up at the World Cup.

“We’re probably not going to be able to see him until March,” said Munster head coach Graham Rowntree.

“I’m planning for the worst case scenario and that will be March, but he has still got a big role to play for us. I wish him all the best wherever he decides to go but he has got a big job to do for us before then.”

“He’s been great around our group, he has been in our leadership group. He’s had his injury woes, some dark times, and for him to be able to lift a trophy at the end of last season with his mates was fantastic. And I wish him all the best but he has got unfinished business with us.”