There was bedlam in the Aviva for those wearing red this evening when Jack Crowley's 78th minute drop goal slotted through the goal posts, giving Munster a 16-15 lead over Leinster. The scoreline held and Munster defeated their old foes to clinch a place in the URC final.
13,000km away, in a corporate box of the CT Stadium, there was similar delirium. Arguably more.
The Stormers, who had beaten Connacht earlier that day by a scoreline of 43-25, were watching the Leinster-Munster game with eager interest amongst friends and family. A Leinster win would mean a trip north to face Leo Cullen's team. A Munster win would mean hosting another home final.
READ ALSO: Leinster Fans Were Furious With Performance Referee During Munster Loss
Thanks to the joys of social media we know that the Stormers celebrated Jack Crowley's drop goal just as vigorously as Munster supporters. A member of the Stormers PR team shared this video to Twitter in the aftermath of the game before it was eventually deleted. You can watch here
Stormers react to Munster's win
@balls.ieThe Stormers celebrate Munster beating Leinster.👀♬ original sound - ballsdotie
What are the reasons for these passionate celebrations? Are the Stormers big fans of Graham Rowntree et al or are there other reasons at play?
Most obviously, the result means the players won't have to cross hemispheres for a final in the Aviva. The team would face 12+ hours on a flight north. Nobody wants that.
The reigning URC champs will also get to host another final, which is massive considering the huge home advantage that comes from playing in front of 55,000 people on a dire pitch.
But deep down, you'd also imagine the Stormers are pretty happy to avoid a final against Leinster, and will instead host Munster, a team who beat them on their own patch of grass last month.
They won't be straining for motivation.
We'll find out in two weeks time whether these celebrations were merited: we haven't seen such a public outpouring of joy since Donald Trump lost the US Presidency.
