Dawie Snyman

Dawid Stefanus Lubbe Snyman (5 July 1949 – 14 August 2025) was a South African rugby union player and coach.

Playing career Snyman represented the Free State schools at two consecutive Craven Week tournaments. After school and completing his military training he enrolled at Stellenbosch University. In 1971, before playing provincial rugby, he was selected for the Springboks to tour Australia. Although he did not play in any test matches during the tour, being selected for the team made him only the third player, after JC van der Westhuizen and Danie Craven to represent the Springboks before playing for a province. He made his provincial debut for Western Province later during the 1971 season.

Snyman's test debut was in 1972 at Ellis Park against the touring English side captained by John Pullin. Playing flyhalf, Snyman scored all the points for the Springboks in the 9–18 defeat to the English. During September to November 1972, Snyman toured with Gazelles, a South African under-24 team, to Argentina. Snyman played ten test matches for the Springboks, scoring 24 points, including one try. He also played in twelve tour matches, scoring sixty-two points.

Test history No. Opponents Results(RSA 1st) Position Points Dates Venue 1. 9–18 Flyhalf 9 (3 penalties) 3 Jun 1972 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 2. 3–12 Flyhalf 3 (1 dropgoal) 8 Jun 1974 Newlands, Cape Town 3. British Lions 9–28 Replacement 22 Jun 1974 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 4. 13–4 Fullback 23 Nov 1974 Stade Municipal, Toulouse 5. France 10–8 Fullback 30 Nov 1974 Parc des Princes, Paris 6. France 38–25 Fullback 5 (1 conversion, 1 penalty) 21 Jun 1975 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 7. France 33–18 Fullback 28 Jun 1975 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 8. 9–15 Fullback 14 Aug 1976 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 9. New Zealand 15–10 Fullback 3 (1 dropgoal) 4 Sep 1976 Newlands, Cape Town 10. World XV 45–24 Fullback 4 (1 try) 27 Aug 1977 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Coaching career In 1982 Snyman was appointed the head coach of Western Province, with Charlie Cockrell as his assistant. During his tenure as head coach Western Province won the Currie Cup five times in a row from 1982 to 1986. In 1989, with Hennie Bekker as his assistant coach, Western Province shared the Currie Cup with Northern Transvaal.

Death Snyman died on 14 August 2025, at the age of 76.