Leinster have confirmed the signing of Munster second row RG Snyman, who will join the province at the end of the season.
The double-World Cup winner will link up with Leo Cullen's side, and his former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber in he summer, ending an injury-hit four seasons at Thomond Park.
Leinster have not confirmed the length of the 28-year-old's contract, but RTÉ Sport understands it is just a one-year deal. It's also understood that there are stipulations in the lock's contract around the number of games he can play for the province, with concerns of a logjam at the second row position.
Snyman joined Munster in the summer of 2020, but two lengthy knee injuries and a current chest/shoulder injury have limited him to just 10 appearances in that time.
Munster had been keen to keep the 6ft 9in lock, but their hopes of retaining him were effectively ended with Jean Kleyn becoming non-Irish qualified after being capped by South Africa ahead of the World Cup.
Snyman had been heavily linked with joining his former Munster coach Johann van Graan at Bath, but the lock says he was keen to stay in Ireland.
"Having settled really well in Limerick since our arrival in Ireland almost four years ago, my wife and I want to stay on in Ireland if possible," Snyman said, as Leinster confirmed his arrival.
"Continuing with Munster Rugby beyond June of 2024, was no longer a choice I could exercise. I will continue to give my absolute all and best for Munster, on and off the field, until the end of the season.
"After careful consideration of all offers presented, the Leinster opportunity was the one I decided on. It is an invitation that allows me to continue to stay part of a world class high performance rugby set-up. It also enables my wife and I to stay in Ireland.
"I am a professional rugby player. I need to work very hard to see to it that I add value to any system that trusts me enough to improve its cause. At Leinster, I will continue to be challenged to my utmost limit to improve my game and hopefully contribute to improve the club. That will be my only job and I intend to do everything to achieve this at the highest level of performance.
"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and to work under Jacques Nienaber again. I want to thank Leinster for making it possible."
While Snyman's time at Munster has been riddled with injury, his form in the latter stages of last season helped the province to a URC trophy, while he looked back to his best at the Rugby World Cup, playing six of his side's seven games as they claimed a record-equaling fourth title.
"We're delighted that RG is joining us next season," Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said.
"He is a world class operator, coming into his prime and a powerful athlete who will bring more competition to that position for our squad.
"He is also a double-World Cup winning Springbok and all that brings in terms of experience and all our players can tap into that. We are always looking for ways we can improve our learning as a group and I know from speaking to Jacques that RG will hopefully help us do just that."
