Munster have made a major statement of intent for the coming season after confirming the signings of South African World Cup winners Damian de Allende and RG Snyman.

Munster’s South African influence looks like deepening still further with reports that World Cup winners — centre Damian de Allende and lock RG Snyman — are to join the province

New Zealand and South Africa have won five of the eight Rugby World Cup titles between them. Ahead of the semi-finals — and a potential NZ v SA final — Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh sat down with Munster duo, Kiwi Alby Mathewson and Springbok Arno Botha, to talk World Cups, Test dreams, beer and chocolate.

Ronan O’Gara believes that beating the Wellington Hurricanes in the Super Rugby semi-final is a pretty straightforward proposition for his Crusaders.

Ronan O'Gara's Crusaders powered past NZ rivals the Highlanders 38-14 Friday to storm into the Super Rugby semi-finals and continue their drive to a third consecutive title.

For Felipe Contepomi it’s on a par with River Plate v Boca Juniors; for CJ Stander and Johann van Graan a reminder of Bulls versus Stormers games.

There was more than one reason for Alby Mathewson to welcome Johann van Graan’s decision to extend his term at Munster to June 2022.

"Coming to Munster I wanted to become part of the community, and every day I get to experience that sense of belonging with my family and I settled in from the very beginning."

The possibility of Ronan O'Gara being part of France's backroom team for the 2019 World Cup has increased with French Rugby Federation sources in Paris confirmed the Munster and Ireland legend was "under consideration."

Rassie Erasmus will step down from his role as coach of the Springboks after next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Simon Lewis This is why he came home.

Keeping Johann van Graan at Munster is crucial to the province’s ambitions, according to Conor Murray.

Eddie Jones has swatted aside doubt over his future by declaring he is ready to restore England to the summit of the game.

Peter O’Mahony’s assessment of the areas Leinster are currently leading the way in Irish rugby was as withering of his own team as it was complimentary of his frenemies in blue.

Johann van Graan believes new signing Arno Botha will add strength and depth to Munster’s back-row resources when the Springbok arrives this summer on a one-year contract.

Johann van Graan has been involved in some pretty significant semi-finals in his coaching career and as he began preparations for Munster’s mission to succeed in Bordeaux this Sunday he urged his players to “embrace the expectation”.

CJ Stander said that it will be a dream come true this evening when he leads Munster out on the pitch where he played as a child in South Africa.

CJ Stander said that it will be a dream come true this evening when he leads Munster out on the pitch where he played as a child in South Africa.

New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has admitted he faces a "huge task" reviving fallen giants South Africa.

As Conor Murray squirmed on the Aviva Stadium turf, his foot trapped at the bottom of a ruck full of Irish and Welsh bodies, Johann van Graan feared the worst.

The relief around Munster was palpable yesterday as the IRFU confirmed CJ Stander had followed Peter O’Mahony in signing a new three-year contract to keep him at the province until at least the summer of 2021.

Johann van Graan welcomed his family off the plane from South Africa on Thursday and then sat down to pick his first team in 15 years as he settled into a new life as a professional head coach at Munster.

Munster centre Rory Scannell is aiming to ‘put his hand up’ for the Six Nations squad after failing to find a place in Joe Schmidt’s selections for the November Internationals.

Munster props James Cronin and Brian Scott, Connacht second-row Quinn Roux and Leinster’s Jordi Murphy make their first starts in the famous colours of the Barbarians who face Tonga at Thomond Park tonight (7.30pm).

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is sure that a lack of experience in the role of head coach will not hamper Johann van Graan as he prepares to take over the reins at Munster from Rassie Erasmus.

It’s been something of a rollercoaster week for Munster, what with a face-saving draw on the road against Castres, the weakest of the French participants in this season’s Champions Cup, to complement the confirmation of a new head coach, writes Donal Lenihan.

Bernard Jackman believes Johann van Graan is the perfect man to succeed Rassie Erasmus as Munster boss.

Munster are confident inexperienced new head coach Johann van Graan will not need the oversight of a director of rugby when he takes the reins from Rassie Erasmus.

Munster’s search for a new director of rugby has taken another twist after present incumbent Rassie Erasmus cast doubts on the province’s chances of getting their reported top target.

Munster’s search for a new director of rugby has taken another twist after present incumbent Rassie Erasmus cast doubts on the province’s chances of getting their reported top target.

Brian O’Driscoll believes Munster’s possible appointment of South African Johann van Graan as its new director of rugby is a leap of faith in the judgement of outgoing boss Rassie Erasmus.

Al Pacino’s “Inches” speech in Any Given Sunday may make the hairs stand on the back of your neck, says Dr Ed Coughlan. But does it work? Consistently? And if so, for how long? Or is it just for effect?

One victory left for the Golden State Warriors to claim another title. Not the one as NBA champions. The one as the best team ever.

Few rugby players can simply be identified by their first names. Gareth, Sonny Bill, Zinzan, Jonny, and Jonah are some of the few whose deeds and skills have given them that particular status. And Joost.

Munster’s director for rugby Rassie Erasmus came qualified from South Africa, but nothing could have prepared him for the loss of Anthony Foley — nor the outpouring of emotion it triggered in the province. His steady hand has impressed many.