It has been confirmed that Munster will face a South Africa Select XV at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on November 10, five days after the Springboks take on Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
The Irish Examiner reported yesterday that Munster were planning the fixture, but were holding off the announcement until it was approved by the GAA's Central Council.
However, it was unlikely that they were ever going veto the match, given the cash inflow it will bring and the fact that the GAA club championships will be all but over.
South Africa head coach and ex-Munster coach, Jaques Nienbar, had his say on the announcement: "Munster are a giant force in Ireland, and they will offer the SA Select XV exactly the type of test we need to build combinations and player depth as we prepare for the Rugby World Cup next year.
“We have been working with a large squad this year so that we can give an expanded group of players a chance to stake a claim for places in the Rugby World Cup and beyond, and by facing top opposition such as Munster and Bristol, I have no doubt we will get some of the answers we need with the international extravaganza about a year away.”
It will continue the long running tradition in Munster rugby of taking on international teams. Their legendary victory over All Blacks in 1978, the Munster haka in 2008, and their defeat of Australia in 2010, were three of the best occasions in the history of Munster rugby.
Munster v All Blacks
18 November 2008; Munster players Jeremy Manning, Rua Tipoki, Doug Howlett and Lifeimi Mafi perform the Haka against New Zealand. Zurich Challenge Match, Munster v New Zealand, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
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Earlier today, Munster head coach Graham Rowntree, spoke to the media ahead of their pre-season clash with Gloucester on Friday.
“Just in terms of how we train, what the working day looks like, just putting my stamp on it, and you’ll hopefully see on Friday night the fruits of our labour, without trying to give anything away. I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel by any means, but obviously there are a few little changes and adjustments to how we train and how we play that you will hopefully see come through."
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