Sport | Former Springbok centre Andre Snyman on the mend after surgery to remove tumour

Springbok centre Andre Snyman leaves the field with a head wound against the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland on 25 August, 2001. (Scott Barbour/ALLSPORT/Getty Images)

• Former Springbok centre Andre Snyman is on the mend after undergoing surgery to help remove a tumour.
• Last year, Snyman was diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma – a tumour that grows in the ear canal affecting his brain. 
• His wife says doctors were able to remove 90% of the tumour.
• For more rugby news, visit our dedicated section.

Former Springbok centre Andre Snyman is in recovery after undergoing surgery to help remove a tumour.

It was reported last year that Snyman, 51, was diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma (otherwise known as an acoustic neuroma), which is a tumour that grows in the ear canal affecting his brain. 

A fundraising page on the platform, GoFundMe, had been set up to aid the former Bok financially.

Snyman went under the knife in the United States this week, with his wife Phillipa posting on the platform that the surgery went “very well”.

“The surgeon was very pleased with the procedure (which was seven hours long). There were no surprises or concerns. They were able to remove 90% of the tumour with the remaining 10% expected to remain as a layer on the nerve associated with the left-hand side of his facial movement. Andre will be carefully monitored in the months ahead to make sure the layer is not thickening and if there is a change, he will have gamma knife radio therapy (non-invasive radiation therapy) to terminate its growing ability,” Phillipa wrote.

She added that her husband had showed courage to get through the crucial early phases after the operation.

“Andre’s first 24 hours were a little rough, but he weathered it in true Andre Snyman style with sheer grit. Late yesterday, he was downgraded from the ICU and will be moved to a general ward today. Andre’s sister, Marinda, arrives from South Africa tomorrow to assist with his recovery and rehab which will commence once Andre is stabilised from surgery.”

She was hopeful that the former Bok would be back to his old self within the next two months.

“Andre and Marinda will stay in a facility where Andre can move freely without encountering stairs and challenges that our home unfortunately presents to him. His recovery will consist of balance therapy and occupational therapy and the surgeon is confident that Andre should be close to a full recovery within six-eight weeks. Thank you all so much once again for all the support, generosity, out pouring of love and prayers. Our family is so very grateful and appreciative.”

Snyman played 38 Tests for the Springboks between 1996 and 2006 and was a stalwart on the domestic scene for the Bulls (1995-1999) and Sharks (2000-2003). He also played for Leeds Tykes in England (2004-2006) and French club Perpignan (2006-2007).

Snyman currently lives in the United States, having forged a successful coaching career over there. He was involved with professional outfit Glendale Raptors (now called Colorado Raptors), while he has also spent time coaching at Hill House School in the UK.