South African Rugby World Cup winning lock RG Snyman suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during his debut for Munster against Leinster in the Guinness PRO14 on Saturday.
Munster narrowly lost 27-25 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Snyman and Damian de Allende, another Rugby World Cup winning Springbok, were in line for highly anticipated debuts for Munster against formidable opposition but both appearances never went according to plan.
Snyman lasted just seven minutes as he injured his left knee when stealing a lineout while de Allende had a quiet game.
Munster released a statement confirming what South African coach Johann van Graan had previously descried as a “very serious” injury.
“It has been confirmed that the province’s newest debutant, RG Snyman, sustained an ACL tear in the opening minutes of Saturday night’s Guinness PRO14 encounter against Leinster,” Munster said in a statement.
“The lock will meet with the specialist next to discuss surgery and management.”
Snyman may miss up to between six and nine months of action as he recovers from his injury.
Another South African, Jean Kleyn, came on for Snyman but he also ended up leaving the field after suffering a neck injury.
“Dave Kilcoyne and Jean Kleyn have also been ruled out for the immediate future with both players requiring rehabilitation periods for respective ankle and neck ligament injuries.”
Munster, who lie second in Conference B, will next play another Irish side Connacht at the same venue on August 30.
