The RG mystery...

RG Snyman.

We've hardly seen him in the Bok Jersey and for years he's had unanimous support. I don't know anyone on this board that doesn't rate him as highly as a player could be rated.

I was thinking about that. And how I myself could rate him so highly on such scant evidence(well, it's not really scant, but it's certainly not enough either). It feels like hype but it also doesn't feel like hype. 

Is it possible, in RG's case, to rate him as one of the best we've ever produced? Because when you look at the players here that have similar unanimous support from the board...the likes of Marx and Eben, for example...one could easily chuck their names into the best-ever hat and hardly anyone would bat an eye. But we have the evidence for them, we've seen how Eben can hold a game in his hand and how easy Marx makes the number 2 role look almost every time he plays the game.

With RG, we seem to give him the same level of respect, but with such little evidence. This is not to accuse anyone, because I'm probably his biggest fan on this site. And when I think of our best and most dominant forwards, his is one of the first names that comes to mind. 

So what is it that causes this? Is it just that some players have an unmistakable aura of greatness? Is it that he's so huge, so athletic and when he does play he looks unbeatable in every exchange...I've even thought perhaps it comes down to some kind of sixth sense that we rugby fans develop after watching thousands of hours of the game we love.

I can't figure out why I rate him so highly, but I continue to and I can't see that changing.

I'm just trying to figure out why.

This was just a little rant...and un-edited, so if it doesn't make much sense then you have my apologies.

The guy is clearly a star, probably a super hero. After all how many players incinerate themselves?

Haha, maybe somebody called flame on! After a few to many witblitz. 

No, you watch the guy, his sheer size and athleticism. The guy is a freak.

Then, watching with ball in hand, how he runs with the ball, holding it in one of his giant hands. He creates space for the players around him..

Then, don't forget his line breaking ability. He had a stint in Japan where he was mopping the floor with this Japanese players.

He is only 28, so if he can get over the injuries for the next 4 to 6 years can take a massive impact for the boks.

He had already clocked up close to 20 caps at rest level. 

He also made a big difference for Munster when he came on against the Stormers. 

The guy is just a freak, given that he has hardly played for the past 4 years and just slotted back in. 

Big credit to Munster for sticking with him and working on his rehabilitation 

The evidence is conclusive, RG is the real deal. There are no questions as to what he brings, we just need him available. For the majority of Jakes tenure, and a bit before that Butch James was the same, he just couldn't stay fit. He was injured for two consecutive years. Jake said he always had Butch in kind as his first choice 10, if he was available. RG is in the same situation, a legitimate talent. 

I get you Plum. With such little body of work, it seems that a player shouldn't deserve such accolades, but it happens it sports. Not often, but it happens. I'm not one to give a stamp of approval easily, I'm usually very cautious about expectations until proven. I probably won't be so conclusive about a player for a very long time. In fact, I would have to go back to Butch himself in 2001. It certainly has been a very long time. I just wish we could have a solid cycle with him in the starting lineup. I haven't seen a Bok lock marry raw power, athleticism, and skill like he does. If Matfield and Bakkies could be merged into one, you'd have something like RG.