Ulster make move for Zimbabwean lock Eli Snyman

According to reports, Ulster Rugby are set to strengthen their second-row resources with the signing of Zimbabwean lock Eli Snyman, it understood the deal is expected to be confirmed in the coming days if it materialises.

South African outlet Rapport has reported that Snyman has agreed a two-year contract with the Irish province and will arrive ahead of next season.

While Ulster have yet to formally announce the move, all indications are that the 29-year-old is poised to add experience and physical presence to a relatively youthful lock group.

Standing at just over two metres tall, Snyman has built a reputation as a powerful lineout operator and abrasive tight-five forward.

He has been a regular starter for Benetton Rugby since returning to the Italian side in 2023 and featured against Ulster in United Rugby Championship action this season, underlining his familiarity with the league and its demands.

If the move is confirmed, Snyman would occupy one of Ulster’s tightly controlled non-Irish-qualified (NIQ) slots.

Those places are typically limited to around two or three per province and are only sanctioned where Irish-qualified depth is either unavailable or not compromised.

Specialist lock is one position where Irish provinces have historically been permitted to look overseas, given the physical and technical demands of the role.

Ulster’s current second-row options include Iain Henderson, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Charlie Irvine, Joe Hopes and Matty Dalton.

Henderson, the long-time captain, is now 33, while Dalton has struggled for continuity through injury.

Izuchukwu has often been deployed at blindside flanker and could increasingly be absent with Ireland should he establish himself at international level.

Against that backdrop, an experienced lock capable of shouldering URC and European minutes could ease the burden on younger players and support their development.

Snyman’s background underlines why Ulster see him as a potential fit.

A Harare native, he came through the Zimbabwe age-grade system before moving to South Africa, where he was educated at the University of Pretoria and developed further with Tuks and the Bulls.

He was part of the Junior Springbok squad at the 2016 World Rugby Under-20 Championship and has gone on to build a professional career across three countries, turning out in South Africa, the English Premiership with Leicester Tigers, and most recently in Italy.

Snyman, who as not been capped by Zimbabwe at Test level, is now expected to make his debut for his country of birth at the 2027 World Cup in Australia. The Sables made history last July by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1991. – Irish News