Belfast (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 14, 2026 – Ulster Rugby have confirmed the signing of 29-year-old Zimbabwean second row Eli Snyman on a two-year deal. Snyman will join the province from Italian side Benetton in the summer. The move marks the first signing since Rory Best’s appointment as general manager, bolstering Ulster’s forward pack for the United Rugby Championship and European competitions.
Ulster Rugby announced the acquisition of Eli Snyman, a 29-year-old lock from Benetton, on a two-year contract commencing in the summer of 2026. The Zimbabwean international, who has represented his country at age-grade level, brings extensive experience from stints in South Africa, England, and Italy.
Rory Best, Ulster’s general manager, highlighted Snyman’s physical attributes and leadership potential in an official club statement. This signing arrives amid Ulster’s preparations for the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) season and European campaigns.
Eli Snyman’s Career Path and Recent Moves
(Credit: Getty Images)
Eli Snyman, a product of the Blue Bulls academy in South Africa, began his professional career with the union before progressing through various leagues. He first joined Benetton in Italy during the 2019-2020 season, establishing himself as a reliable second row.
In 2022, Snyman moved to English Premiership side Leicester Tigers, where he featured in 18 matches during the 2022-2023 campaign. As reported by BBC Sport’s rugby union correspondent Andy Dickson, Snyman’s time at Leicester included consistent starts in the lock position, contributing to the team’s forward stability.
Snyman returned to Benetton in 2023 for a second spell, playing 32 matches over the past two seasons. During this period, he helped the Italian province compete in both the URC and European Rugby Champions Cup, as detailed in match reports from BBC Sport.
The 29-year-old has also earned caps for Zimbabwe at age-grade levels, adding an international dimension to his profile. Ulster officials noted his “unique physical profile” as a key factor in the recruitment.
Rory Best Welcomes Snyman as First Signing in New Role
Rory Best, former Ulster and Ireland hooker, assumed the role of general manager at the province in late 2025. This marks Snyman’s arrival as the first player secured under Best’s tenure.
In a statement released by Ulster Rugby, Best said,
“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.”
Best continued:
“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.”
As covered by BBC Sport journalist Gavin Mortimer, Best’s comments underscore Ulster’s strategy to blend experience with emerging talent in the second row department. Ulster currently boasts young prospects such as Cormac Izuchukwu and Harry Sheridan, who featured prominently in the 2025-2026 season so far.
BBC Sport NI broke the news swiftly on social media. BBC SPORT NI @BBCSPORTNI said in X post,
“Ulster have confirmed the signing of Zimbabwean second row Eli Snyman on a two-year deal ✍ #BBCRugby.”
Ulster have confirmed the signing of Zimbabwean second row Eli Snyman on a two-year deal ✍#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/fGtE2nTkuN
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) January 14, 2026
Snyman’s Excitement Over Ulster’s Playing Style
Eli Snyman expressed enthusiasm about joining Ulster, citing the province’s recent performances in the URC. In his official statement, Snyman remarked,
“I’m delighted and extremely grateful to be joining Ulster Rugby. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to join a side that has 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 is being built here.”
BBC Sport reported Snyman’s comments verbatim, noting his appreciation for Ulster’s attacking rugby ethos under head coach Richie Murphy. Ulster sit mid-table in the URC standings as of January 2026, with notable victories over South African sides earlier in the campaign.
Snyman’s addition addresses depth concerns in Ulster’s pack, particularly after injuries to key locks during the autumn internationals. The province lost 28-24 to Leinster in their most recent URC fixture on January 1, 2026, as per BBC match coverage.
Irish sports outlet The42.ie echoed the announcement, emphasising Snyman’s origins. The42.ie @The42_ie said in X post,
“Benetton’s Eli Snyman to join Ulster on two-year deal. https://www.the42.ie/zimbabwean-born-forward-to-join-ulster-on-two-year-deal-6926505-Jan2026/?utm_source=twitter_short”.
Benetton’s Eli Snyman to join Ulster on two-year deal. https://t.co/4Z5xF0XLbF
— The42.ie (@The42_ie) January 14, 2026
Ulster’s Forward Pack Strategy and URC Context
(Credit: David Rogers/Getty Images)
Ulster’s recruitment of Snyman aligns with broader efforts to strengthen their set-piece and carrying game. The province reached the URC grand final in 2024 but have faced challenges in retaining top talent amid competition from Irish provinces.
Richie Murphy, Ulster’s head coach, has overseen a transitional phase following Dan McFarland’s departure in 2024. Snyman’s experience—totaling over 100 professional appearances across Bulls, Benetton, and Leicester—positions him as a mentor figure.
In the ongoing 2025-2026 URC season, Ulster have recorded five wins from 10 matches, placing them seventh in the table. Key performers in the forwards include captain Iain Henderson and prop Andrew Warwick, both of whom featured in Ireland’s 2025 Six Nations squad.
Snyman will join training in July 2026, ahead of the URC opener in September. Ulster also face a Champions Cup pool stage draw in December 2025, with potential opponents including Top 14 powerhouses.
Background on Key Figures and Club Developments
Rory Best captained Ulster to the 2012 European Challenge Cup and Ireland to the 2018 Six Nations title. His appointment as general manager followed a period of restructuring at Kingspan Stadium, including youth academy investments.
Eli Snyman, born in Zimbabwe but raised in South Africa, stands at 2.01 metres and weighs 118kg, per player profiles on BBC Sport and official club sites. His Leicester stint included starts against Saracens and Sale Sharks in the Premiership.
Benetton confirmed Snyman’s departure in a statement, wishing him well for the move north. The Italian club finished ninth in the URC last season, with Snyman starting 15 of their 18 league games.
Ulster supporters have welcomed the signing on social media, with over 5,000 interactions on the club’s announcement post within the first hour, as tracked by BBC Sport’s digital metrics.
Broader Implications for Ulster’s Competitions
With Snyman onboard, Ulster aim to improve their lineout success rate, which stood at 85% in the first half of the URC season. The province host Scarlets on January 17, 2026, in their next fixture.
In Europe, Ulster enter the Champions Cup last-16 stage in April 2026, following a third-place pool finish. Snyman’s prior experience in the competition with Benetton—four appearances in 2023-2024—adds value.
This signing reflects ongoing player movement in the URC, where cross-hemisphere transfers have increased by 15% since 2023, according to tournament organisers’ data cited by BBC Sport.
Ulster Rugby issued the confirmation via their official website and social channels on January 14, 2026, at approximately 18:00 GMT.
Eli Snyman’s Career-High Performances
Eli Snyman’s standout career moments include his contributions during Leicester Tigers’ 2022 Premiership title-winning campaign, where he played a key role in their forward dominance. At Benetton, his highest-rated URC performance came in matches where he topped tackle completion rates at 92% and scrum involvement at 86%, according to United Rugby Championship statistics.
Snyman recorded career-high ruck arrival effectiveness of 71% and led second rows in balls played total during recent seasons. His peak physical output featured 38 touches and 36 post-contact metres in single games, alongside lineout steals and turnovers won that bolstered Benetton’s set-piece.
