South Africa’s 6ft 9in ‘mad Viking’ RG SNYMAN on laughing his way through brawls, terrifying the people of Japan and why he listens to Mongolian throat-singing in the Springbok dressing-room

When RG Snyman starts talking about his love for Mongolian throat singing, it’s further proof that the giant known as The Viking is an unorthodox icon of the legendary South African Bomb Squad.

He has a suggestive nickname to match a striking appearance, but the 29-year-old’s actual name is a mystery to most people, especially outside his home country. The initials stand for Rudolph Gerhardus. For rival attackers, they face big problems.

The towering two-time World Cup winner has certainly made a name for himself in recent years, approaching England’s top flight to watch when they face each other at Twickenham on Saturday. He has become a key figure at the heart of the Springboks’ fearsome pack, whether he starts or comes off the bench with the rest of Rassie Erasmus’ heavyweight replacements.

He even has a ‘Bomb Squad’ tattoo on his right hip – and I’ll leave it to my Mail Sport colleague Joe Marler to explain his thoughts on that elsewhere on these pages.

He has also become a cult figure on social media, due to his striking handling skills and his ability to weave his way through chunks against multiple opponents.

One particular clash involving an entire group of Australians became a viral hit. “I think that was in 2018,” Snyman told Mail Sport. “I thought it was so funny because all their guys were around me, but obviously nothing is really going to happen, it’s just a bit of a push and pull. So I just laughed about it.”

He laughs a lot while he goes about his punishing work. After joining Leinster from nemesis Munster last summer, he found himself in the spotlight thanks to outrageous lineouts and one-handed try celebrations borrowed from American football. In Dublin he has quickly become a fan favourite.

Growing up in Pretoria, Snyman dabbled in water polo and cricket before focusing entirely on rugby. He decided to accept an offer from Honda Heat in Japan. It turned out to be a culture shock for him and also for the local population he overshadowed.

“At first I had no idea what I was getting into,” he says. ‘When I look back now I think: “What was I doing?” I had no idea where I was going. I didn’t know anyone there. I didn’t know the coaches. I think I was 21 or 22 at the time, so I just thought, “Let’s go over there and see what happens.”

‘I ended up loving it that first season. I played in the second division and it was a lot of fun. It was exactly what I needed at that stage of my career, because if you made a mistake you just kept going and there was another opportunity. I had a wonderful time in Japan.

‘It was quite interesting. The club I played for is based in Suzuka, a small Japanese town. F1 is there once a year, the only thing that happens there, and the Honda factory is located there.

“When I first got there, they sat me down and said, ‘Listen, people are going to be afraid of you. Keep that in mind as you walk through the shops and the train station. You have to be careful.’ That was a first for me.’

Photos and clips began circulating of Snyman in the Far East, looking like a sporty Gulliver in Lilliput. He loomed over teammates, opponents and the crowd. It seemed that he was of a different species than the people around him.

When asked if he remembers any episodes of causing panic, he says: ‘It was quite funny once I was walking down an aisle in a supermarket. The shelves are a lot lower than I was used to, so I could see over the shelves.

“As I was walking up the aisle, this guy walked to the other end of the aisle, he just looked straight at me and turned around and walked back. He looked scared. I saw him walking down the next aisle, so he just wouldn’t come near me, or anywhere for that matter. That was funny!’

The time in Japan proved beneficial to Snyman’s development, as he discovered he had to adapt his boisterous, offloading game to the needs of that team and competition. He then went to Munster in the middle of the Covid pandemic and encountered a period of setbacks that disrupted his career.

A serious knee injury on his debut for the province took a long time to overcome, with setbacks along the way, but shortly after his eventual comeback he tore the same anterior cruciate ligament again, sidelining him for a further 17 months.

As if that wasn’t enough, he was forced to endure another enforced absence from playing after suffering serious burns in a fire pit accident. There are still scars from that unfortunate incident.

When asked about it, Snyman says: ‘Someone tried to throw gasoline on the fire and I became a real mess. I ended up getting burned. It happened in Limerick. I was burned on my leg and my hand.

‘I was still injured and had just started training again, so when that happened it wasn’t good timing. It kept me on the sidelines a little longer. I had to have a skin transplant.’

It meant he missed the series win over the Lions in 2021, but Snyman was back with the Boks in time to be part of their second successive World Cup win late last year.

He has fond memories of the camaraderie within the team and the presence of their families during that tournament in France. And he was stunned by the reception when they landed back in Johannesburg with the Webb Ellis Cup.

“One thing I’ll never forget is when we walked back to the airport,” he says. ‘In 2019 we were a bit split on our flights, so I didn’t really experience that incredible first moment when you walk into the airport and everyone is there. So when we came back in 2023, I was absolutely blown away by it. I couldn’t believe it.

‘It feels like you’re walking into this whole, different energy, surrounded by people who have built up all these feelings and emotions and are releasing them in one building. It was absolutely incredible.

‘You think you have an idea what it will be like, but when you see it and experience it, it blows you away.

“You get the feeling of, ‘This is why we’re doing what we’re doing. This is the impact it can have. Look what it means for all these people back home.’ It’s special.’

Even among such a large audience, Snyman will always stand out. He is easily recognizable as a formidable figure with a Mohican and a long beard.

So he cuts his own hair? “I go to the hairdresser every now and then, but my wife also helps me,” he says. And will the beard be allowed to grow and grow? ‘I leave it a bit until Saskia (his wife) complains that it is too long, then I trim it a bit.’

The name Viking was apparently coined by the South African media, but he inspired it with his choice of body art on one arm. “I think I got the tattoo first, and then came the nickname,” he said. ‘I have always been fascinated by Viking history.’

That’s not the only fascination. When asked about his musical preferences, Snyman said, “I listen to pretty much everything, but Mongolian throat singing is definitely something the guys are getting into.”

It came across as a turn-on, but apparently not. “Go listen to the Hu band,” he added. “Listen to one of their songs.”

He has become accustomed to being in front of a camera, but Snyman also likes to hold one in his hand. “I like taking pictures,” he said. ‘I love photography and I’m also trying to learn a bit of videography. That interests me. I try to take pictures when we’re on tour. When we play golf, I take pictures. When we go on safari, I take photos. Anything and everything at this stage.”

There will undoubtedly be plenty of photos of Snyman taken on Saturday. He will start alongside Eben Etzebeth in the Springboks’ second row, ready to wreak havoc at Twickenham with his dazzling off-loads, lineout agility and confrontational ability.

If England tries to attack him, the Viking will probably laugh. And on another great occasion, the giant will continue to make a name for himself.