Stander Relishing Time In Green

Following three years of hard work and dogged determination since his arrival at Munster, back row CJ Stander is reaping the rewards in making his fourth consecutive start for Ireland this weekend.

A vital cog in the Munster machine this season, Stander's contributions have been just as influential in the 6 Nations to date with destructive ball carrying and solid defensive efforts making him an easy selection for Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt.
  
Speaking following his selection in the starting XV for tomorrow's clash with Italy in the Aviva, the adopted Munster-man and former South Africa U20 captain said, “Playing for Ireland is something I’ve learned about down in Munster and I’ve tried to take in all of the culture and country, tried to learn what Ireland is about, I’ve done a lot from my side and I enjoy it, I enjoy playing for Ireland. It’s something different, but I’ve worked hard the last three years and I wanted to do it and being here now, the last six weeks have been the best time of my life.
 
“When I walked in here I wanted to just bring energy to the team. I want to bring energy to the pitch, perform as best I can, all the time, don’t let the boys down.”
  
With notions within the Springbok fraternity that he was ‘too small’ to play in the back row at senior international level, Stander made the decision to move north and join Munster as a project player, a shrewd bit of business that is now paying heathy dividends for player, province and country alike.
 
“Yeah, at that stage I was driven to prove them wrong but now I want to prove it to myself that I can play international rugby, at this level, and get the caps. Play where I want to play, which is flanker or loose forward.
 
“The thing is I’m always going to be South African, I’m never going to be an Irishman, but I can try my best. I can get an Irish passport in the next 18 months, that would be ideal, but I will try to be the best South African Irish person I can be.”
  
Stander is one of five Munster players named in tomorrow’s starting line-up to face the Italians in Round 4 of the 6 Nations – KO 1:30pm.  Click here to see the full Ireland team.