If the Springboks go on to make the Rugby World Cup final, or… gasp… win the title for a third time next weekend, then they should probably ask for an extra medal or two to be sent to Munster.

It may have taken time to make an impact, but this World Cup has finally captured the interest and imagination of the Japanese public — thanks in no small part to the exploits of their national team.

Munster defence coach JP Ferreira admits he was surprised to see Jean Kleyn make the Ireland squad for the Rugby World Cup but says the South African-born lock is being rewarded for his hard work with the province.

Felix Jones could join the Springboks coaching set-up ahead of the World Cup, according to reports in South Africa.

The ex-Ireland international left the Munster coaching team earlier this year.

It was just one week before South Africa played Ireland in Aviva Stadium in November 2017 that Rassie Erasmus bid an emotional farewell to Munster.

Johann van Graan has urged Munster supporters to look at the positives of a playing squad in it for the long haul despite the “strange” situation of two key coaches deciding to quit.

Munster's strength and conditioning coach PJ Wilson seems set to follow Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones out the door this summer.

In times of turmoil, and there has been plenty of that at Munster in recent seasons, the onus falls on the playing squad’s leadership group to pull the province through troubled waters, and it will be no different this time as the unexpected search for new coaches begins.

So, they meet again. Two years on from a semi-final encounter in Dublin that has proven significant for both sides, Munster and Saracens will be reunited at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena tomorrow for another Heineken Champions Cup knockout tussle.

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.

As Munster’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus saw at first hand how to exploit opposition weakness under the high ball and now he believes that is the area he must improve quickest as he takes control of South Africa.

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

Johann van Graan is not giving up hope that Munster legend Paul O’Connell will join his coaching think tank at the province.

The age profile of the Munster coaching staff has taken another dip after 34-year-old JP Ferreira’s appointment as defence coach was confirmed by the province and the IRFU.

Conor Murray is backing new head coach Johann van Graan not to implement sweeping change to the Munster gameplan as the squad transitions to the new management team.

Munster 36 Ospreys 10: Johann van Graan has declared the transition from one Munster coach to the next at an end as he begins preparation for the first acid test of his new team’s European credentials on Saturday.

Rassie Erasmus jetted home to South Africa last night confident that Munster are in safe hands with his replacement, Johann van Graan.

Andrew Conway stands nonchalantly with hands in pockets talking about the need to stay level-headed.

The prospect of playing for the Barbarians against Tonga tomorrow night and in the same side as Donncha O’Callaghan is helping Munster’s James Cronin forget the injuries that have plagued and seriously damaged his career — with the prop now hopeful better times must surely lie ahead.

It is perfectly plausible when Rassie Erasmus explains that after all the Munster organisation has been through over the past 13 months, the departure of a director of rugby is no reason for emotion.

Duncan Williams is just one of many Munster players adamant the change of head coach over the next few weeks will have little or no effect on the teams’ performances.

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 are said to be ready to appoint former Western Force head coach David Wessels as Rassie Erasmus' successor.

IRFU performance director David Nucifora is hopeful Munster have found the right person to succeed Rassie Erasmus and will be able to announce their new director of rugby “in the short term”.

The dawn of a new era is upon us as the expanded, Springbok-tinged Guinness Pro14 kicks off tonight in Belfast but at the same time in Cork it is the departure of South African talent that will, alas, mark the opening weeks of the fledgling league campaign.

Munster have confirmed that Rassie Erasmus and Defence Coach Jacques Nienaber will leave the province at the end of December.

Rassie Erasmus will confirm his departure as head coach of Munster today, Examiner Sport understands.

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Jacques Nienaber has rejected criticism of Munster’s Champions Cup semi-final performance against Saracens a fortnight ago, insisting the province was beaten simply by “a better plan”.

Rassie Erasmus is definitely staying on as Munster director of rugby having finally ended the speculation he was about to leave the province just a season into his three-year contract.

The odds are stacked against them but Munster wouldn’t have it any other way. Donal Lenihan looks at three areas that will shape today’s semi-final.

Simon Zebo last night described the Munster squad as “a real brotherhood” and maintained that director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has assured players they don’t have to worry about his future.