Munster second row RG Snyman is at risk of missing the Lions series as he undergoes treatment for burns he suffered in an accident last month.
Snyman won the World Cup with the Springboks in 2019 but already faced a race to be fit after a knee injury kept him out of action for the last 11 months.
Snyman's entire contributions for Munster in the last two seasons amounted to just six minutes. His knee injury came as he claimed a lineout against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, damaging his knee ligaments as he landed awkwardly.
Snyman then needed a skin graft on his knee to repair damages suffered during an accident involving a fire-pit in Limerick, which involved Munster teammates CJ Stander, Damian de Allende and Mike Haley, who also require treatment.
Snyman has not been officially ruled out of the series by South African management; however, with the series set to get underway on July 24, Snyman faces a race to fitness as he is currently training away from the squad after the surgery.
Snyman's heavy-hitting is a key component of the Bok's 'bomb-squad', and his potential absence will scupper the South African's ambition of overpowering the Lions in the series.
Springbok's assistant coach Deon David's confirmed the news of Snyman's injuries at a press conference in Johannesburg today.
"RG Snyman is currently out of the squad; he's not with us; he went for a skin graft operation and will start the process of rehabilitation.
"As he recovers, there will be a medical update. He can return. At this stage, there’s a small chance as it stands of him playing in the series against the British and Irish Lions, but he will return for the remainder of the year's Test matches."
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