Springboks' RG Snyman reveals the secret behind South Africa's sporting triumphs

Big Springboks lock RG Snyman says South Africa’s sporting success on the world stage is no fluke.

The Proteas are the latest South African sports team to win internationally after beating Australia in the World Test Championship final. It was their first piece of ICC silverware since 1998.

The Springboks won back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, while Bafana Bafana won the bronze medal at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and have qualified for the next edition in Morocco, which will be played from December 26.

During the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, South Africa won six medals, including gold for star swimmer Tatjana Smith and a silver for the 4x100 men’s relay team anchored by Akani Simbine.

Bayanda Walaza, who helped to win that silver medal in the relay while still in the school benches, is also the world’s fastest teenager.

Recently, Upington-born Rayno Nel won the 2025 World's Strongest Man competition, while Brendali Theron was crowned the World's Strongest Woman in Dubai last month.

Snyman himself is fresh off a United Rugby Championship title win with Leinster after the Irish team beat Jake While’s Bulls in the final last weekend.

”I think there’s a mindset of people that is a little bit different and it feels very driven in a way that I haven’t really come across in many other places,” Snyman said during a podcast with former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton.

“It feels like people are very much like ‘f*** it, I need to go for this, and I’m going to do this with everything I have and I’m going to give it my all.”’

But while there is a drive to succeed, Snyman says the role of Rassie Erasmus has been key to the Springboks’ dominance of the rugby landscape over the last six years.

Snyman says Erasmus’ ability to motivate and get the best out of his players is second to none, which is why the Springboks always believe they can win, no matter the odds.

”You think, ‘OK, I can’t feel more motivated for this game,” he said. “This is the most motivated I can ever be for a game.’ And then the next week you feel the same way again – even more motivated sometimes,” Snyman said on the podcast.

“So that’s incredible to know that he can or he consistently does it at such a level that it ultimately brings the best out of us.”

The Springboks start of their international season with a clash against the Barbarians next week.

@JohnGoliath82