“This is a chance for me to prove people wrong.” – CJ Stander

NEW Munster recruit CJ Stander spoke to us this week about his move to Limerick and leaving the chance of being a Springbok behind. The Munster backrow is loving Limerick so far and he hopes to be here for years to come. To read the interview, click below:

CJ on Limerick:
The first two days were a bit tough. However, Wian Du Preez and BJ Botha showed me the ropes, sorted me out for a house and a car and now I’m settling in. It’s a nice town and the people here are nice. Everywhere I walk the fans are greeting me with happy smiles and banter.

CJ on a rainy start in Cork:
Oh sure. I played a few games when I was younger in South Africa in the same conditions. it’s the first time I ever had goosebumps from the cold though. The first 20 minutes I didn’t even recognize the weather, but for the last 20 minutes I was a bit cold It wasn’t exactly the type of game that you would like to have been introduced to. It was a very difficult game to play in for both sides. I think the type of rugby we are trying to play in Munster, there was a bit of difficulty involved. You have to keep putting pace to the ball and get the ball to the forwards. In the second half, we had to change our plan and I think we adapted to it well.

CJ on the try that nearly was:

I was watching it on the TV again yesterday and from my perspective I grounded it and I thought it was a try but when I saw it on TV you couldn’t see the ball so it was a tough decision to make and I think they came to the right decision. It’s tough and I think a try would have probably led us to win the game.

CJ on leaving the Springboks behind:

It’s a tough question but for me, the chance to come up here and play rugby was too good to pass up. I said to myself I want to go to a team that’s one of the best in the world, in the top three in the world, and after that I think as a project player to play for Ireland. I’ve only been here two weeks so I have a lot to learn. Leaving the Springboks behind is tough, but playing for Ireland will be the same I am sure. I think if someone or a country can see the potential in a player, then they should be allowed get that player to play for them. It might be tough on the local player alright. I appreciate that. It is better for me not to be the first guy to be a project player. I can learn from people like Strauss. I left South Africa because if I stayed there for three more years, I would not have been able to be a Springbok.They called me too small back home. This is a chance for me to prove people wrong. I can play to this level. It is a change of scenery too.

CJ on where he likes to play:

I don’t mind really. I made my Super Rugby debut at 7. I played 10 games at 6. I played 8 at Currie Cup and at school. It is just up to me to change my mindset depending on what position I am asked to play.