Springboks: Munster to take on South Africa Select XV in November
Munster have announced they will face a South Africa Select XV on Thursday, November 10, a game which is part of the Boks’ end-of-year tour.
The Springboks are set to face Ireland, France, Italy, and England in the Autumn Nations Series while the SA Select XV will tackle Munster and Bristol Bears.
Munster have taken on South Africa on three occasions in the past and have yet to secure a victory over them, with this another chance to end the drought.
Last meeting was in 1970
“We are delighted to welcome South Africa back to the province for the first time in over 50 years and we are grateful to the IRFU and SARU for all of their assistance in making this happen,” said Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan on the province’s website.
“Munster Rugby has a proud tradition of hosting major touring sides and to face the SA Select XV during this Autumn Series will be a hugely exciting prospect for the club and our supporters.
“Now that we have the opposition and date, we are exploring venue options and will finalise supporter and ticket details as soon as possible.”
South Africa’s current coach, Jacques Nienaber, was part of Munster’s backroom team alongside Rassie Erasmus in 2016 and 2017 and was thrilled with the news.
“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,” he said as he prepares for the Rugby Championship’s third round.
Facing top opposition
“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.”
Taking on both Munster and Bristol Bears is a prospect that Nienaber cannot speak highly enough of, as he views the midweek games as key for the Springboks.
“We haven’t had a proper rugby tour with midweek games in several years, so we are very excited about this opportunity,” he added.
READ MORE: Springboks: Vincent Koch ready for Wallabies’ scrum tricks after last year’s disappointment