Scarlets welcome second row 'Big Joe' to Parc y Scarlets

New second row South African signing, Johan Snyman, has joined his Scarlets colleagues for the first time in training today (Monday 24th September) saying he’s pleased he’ll be able to get straight down to work with the West Wales region.

The Scarlets signed the South African second row Johan Snyman to add strength to their front five – with seven new signings announced over the summer to boost the West Wales rugby squad during the 2012/13 season including South African tight head prop Jacobie Adriaanse and second rows South African George Earle, Argentinian Tomas Vallejos and Welsh-qualified Australian Jake Ball.

Snyman, 26, affectionately known as ‘Big Joe’ at his previous club, Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth said he was pleased to be “hitting the ground running” and was really impressed with all he’s seen at Parc y Scarlets.

Speaking from Parc y Scarlets, Snyman who arrived in the UK at the end of last week said: “It’s great to be here, I met the boys last week and the coaching staff and had a good look round and everyone’s been very welcoming. There’s a good feel to the place and the stadium set-up is very impressive.

“I’m just eager to get going now and add whatever I can; the boys seem to have a good spirit, real ambition this season and a strong team ethic so it will be good to be a part of it.

“I’ve been able to get a couple of weeks off to refresh but it’s great to get straight to work here and hit the season straight away. I got a real sense of how much rugby means to this part of the world at the big derby on Friday night – what a great atmosphere.

“When I heard the Scarlets were coming up against the Ospreys early on in the campaign, I told my agent that he had to get me over here by then so I could see it for myself.

“I think the supporters are going to be great to get to know, I’ve already been stopped in the street with my wife Talitha, when they see me in a Scarlets jacket just to chat and welcome me to Llanelli.”

Another imposing player to add power and stature to the Scarlets pack, Johan ‘Joe’ Snyman stands at 6ft 7” and weighs in at 18st 12 and has had experience with Natal Sharks, Golden Lions (part of winning 2011 Currie Cup team) and Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand. He has international experience at youth level and was part of the U19 winning South African team in the IRB Junior World Championships.

He has signed for the Scarlets for three years. With a reputation as a line-out specialist with powerful ball carrying skills and a high work-rate, Snyman is well-known to another new powerhouse in the Scarlets second row – George Earle, who has already appeared three times in the Scarlets first four fixtures this season.

Scarlets will take on Benetton Treviso in the fifth round of the RaboDirect PRO12 on Saturday 29th September in Italy. The West Wales region are currently top of the RaboDirect PRO12 table after three wins and a loss (collecting a four-try bonus point in two and a losing bonus point).