It has been over a decade since Munster last lifted major silverware and CJ Stander says his former side is well aware of their golden opportunity in Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship final.
Despite qualifying for three finals in the last decade, Munster have largely had to settle for playing second and sometimes even third fiddle to Irish rivals Leinster and Ulster.
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Munster last won a major title back in 2011, when the Vodacom URC was the Celtic League. Since then, it has been a long run of heartbreak for the Irish province.
However, having embarked on an incredible run of four unbeaten away games, including ending the DHL Stormers’ long winning run in Cape Town, Munster know that they are in with a shot of finally ending their drought on Saturday.
“Munster need this. Not just for the team, but in general, for Cork, Limerick and the Munster province in general,” said Stander, hinting at the desperation that is fueling the team during a Vodacom URC round table discussion with the media.
“Just to get that belief back that all the hard work over the last eight or nine years wasn’t for nothing.
“I don’t miss the game, but I do miss these games because of the craic afterwards, the few beers. After all the hard work in the years of disappointment, you’re going to sit there and hopefully win the final and celebrate with your mates. That’s the part I do miss.”
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Stander, who made 156 appearances for Munster, welcomed back the presence of towering South African lock RG Snyman, as well as veteran backs Conor Murray and Malakai Fekitoa.
“It was good to see that list of players getting onto the plane, especially Conor, RG and Malakai. It brings a boost to the squad.
“You see the energy that Munster have got in the last few weeks from beating the Stormers in Cape Town and then going to Dublin and beating Leinster. It’s going to be a cracking final. I am looking forward to it. Hopefully, it will be a bit wet and then Munster will have the upper hand, but we will see.”
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Stander was joined by former Stormers captain Jean de Villiers, who spent a season with Munster and warned of the threat posed by the high-flying Irish outfit.
“They have been the form team for me, towards the end of the URC,” said De Villiers. “If you look at the way that they got blown off the park in Durban in the Champions Cup game and then they came back to South Africa.
“They beat the Stormers in Cape Town, drew with the Sharks in Durban, beat Glasgow and Leinster in the quarter and semi-final.
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“So they have been on a run where I think from a mental point of view, they are in a place where they will feel extremely strong and positive. That is worth gold. If you are going into a final, away from home, but you have proven that you can do it.”
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