Eli Snyman to join Ulster Rugby on two-year deal

The 29-year-old Zimbabwean born forward joins Ulster Rugby this summer, after his second stint with Italian side, Benetton Rugby.

Snyman is known for his huge presence around the set piece, bringing strong physicality and power to the forward pack.

Standing at a towering six foot seven, Snyman’s physical profile is a key point of difference to his sides, with his strong ball carrying ability and high work rates providing a forward punch.

The second row represented Zimbabwe at age grade level before joining the Blue Bulls youth programme in South Africa. He would go on to play for the Bulls in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup before joining Benetton in 2019.

After an impressive spell with the Italian side, Snyman made a high profile move to English PREM side, Leicester Tigers, in 2021, where he played a key role in the team’s 2022 Premiership title winning campaign.

He rejoined Benetton in 2023 and has played an important leadership role for the Italians, helping the Treviso based side to become a strong side in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

On the news, Ulster Rugby’s General Manager Rory Best commented:

“We are delighted to have secured Eli’s signature for the next two years. He is a player with a really strong and unique physical profile and at 29 years of age is very much in the peak years of his career.

We have a number of talented young locks coming through who will really learn a lot from his leadership and experience he has gained over his career.

I’m sure supporters will be as excited as I am to see the authority and commanding presence he will bring to our forward pack, as we look to challenge in both the URC and European competitions.”

Commenting on the news, Snyman added: 

“I’m delighted and extremely grateful to be joining Ulster Rugby this summer and I’m really looking forward to meeting my new teammates, the coaching staff and the Ulster supporters.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to join a side that’s been playing some of the most attractive rugby in the URC this season. Watching how the team has performed has made me really excited to be part of what’s being built here.

In my conversations with Rory Best, he outlined a clear vision for the coming years and how my experience can add value to a very talented group of young Irish forwards.

To the Ulster supporters, I can’t wait to meet you all very soon and become part of the Ulster Rugby family."