09 October 2019, by: Quintin Van Jaarsveld

BEST BOKS: Snyman staked claim for world’s most skilful lock honours

RG Snyman put his massive hand up for the world’s most skilful second-rower title in the Springboks’ 66-7 crushing of Canada in their Rugby World Cup Pool B clash in Kobe on Tuesday, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach was outstanding as he created history by scoring the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history in 11 electrifying minutes. On any other night, and perhaps had he not have been limited to 51 minutes, Reinach would’ve walked away with the Man of the Match award.

For his sublime 80-minute showing, however, Snyman was the deserved winner of this distinction. Like the man himself, his performance was colossal. Uncannily powerful AND graceful, the skilful skyscraper cut the Canucks to pieces. Both of his brilliant breaks led to tries, Damian de Allende’s walk-in after just two minutes and Reinach’s second score in the 17th minute.

His ability to not only offload but his understanding of when to do so and when to go to ground instead is up there with the master of the art, All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams.

He’s perfected the skill to such a degree that he’s South African rugby’s undisputed king of the offload; he proved as much with a third-highest 23 such flick-offs for the Bulls in this year’s Super Rugby tournament and popped a few pearlers to support runners in Tuesday’s 59-point rout.

With uncontainable power and passion, he stormed over the gainline on seven occasions, making him South Africa’s most effective ball-carrier on the night, beat four defenders and made 49 metres. He also made a team-high nine tackles and snatched two of Canada’s lineout balls – in the 49th and 69th minutes respectively – in addition to securing three takes on South Africa’s throw.

Tireless and fully committed, he capped off an exceptional complete performance with a big hit on replacement prop Djustice Sears-Duru in the 78th minute.

Athletic, skilful, smart and powerful, Snyman is a freak of nature. After putting it all together so brilliantly at the Kobe Misaki Stadium, Snyman could well be the most skilful lock in world rugby, although All Blacks supporters will be adamant that honour belongs to Brodie Retallick.

Reinach didn’t put a foot wrong on his record-breaking night, made all the more impressive when one considers how little rugby the Northampton Saints star has played in recent weeks.

The 29-year-old’s sensational individual try from just outside his 22 in the ninth minute is a strong contender for the try of the tournament and his breath-taking 11-minute treble smashed the previous best, Wallabies fullback Chris Latham’s 25-minute hat-trick in the 142-0 thrashing of Namibia in Adelaide in 2003.

Excellent in all departments, the second-generation Springbok provided lightning-quick and crisp service and his box kicking was spot on.

His halfback partner Elton Jantjies had his best Test in recent memory. In a game that suited his style, the Lions flyhalf was near his play-making peak, making deft passes, attacking the line and creating Reinach’s epic third try with a pinpoint crosskick to Warrick Gelant.

Excellent goal-kicking rounded off a polished performance from Jantjies, the veteran bouncing back brilliantly after his disappointing display against Namibia.

Out wide, Sbu Nkosi had a blinder. His hunger was evident from the start, the winger winning an aerial battle after a pinpoint kick from Reinach in the opening minute, and remained unquenched as he tracked back to flatten replacement back Guiseppe du Toit in the 76th minute.

The 23-year-old ran with the ball in both hands, such an underrated ‘skill’ that keeps defenders guessing, scored a try, racked up an unrivalled 108 metres and threw an excellent chicken wing offload in the 64th minute.

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