Two more Springboks have joined the growing list of professional athletes opting for hair restoration procedures, with RG Snyman and Edwill van der Merwe confirming they are undergoing hair transplants.
The international rugby players, who represent Leinster and the Sharks respectively, shared updates on social media this week documenting their visits to a specialist hair transplant clinic.
Snyman, who recently ditched his trademark mullet, posted photos from the hair restoration studio, which specialises in advanced treatments for thinning and balding hair. Van der Merwe, meanwhile, hinted at his own procedure by telling followers he was ready for the “big day”.
Their admissions add to a rising trend among elite rugby players turning to cosmetic procedures to address hair loss. Several other Springboks have previously undergone similar treatments, including Sharks centre André Esterhuizen, Stormers scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, and Springbok assistant coach Duane Vermeulen.
Hair transplants, commonly performed using a technique known as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), involve transferring healthy hair follicles from one part of the body to areas affected by thinning or balding. While the procedure is minimally invasive, recovery can be lengthy, often involving swelling, scabbing and temporary shedding of transplanted hair.
Full results are typically visible between 12 and 18 months after the procedure, once the transplanted follicles have settled and new hair growth is established.
