Happy return for du Preez

WIAN du Preez thought long and hard before deciding a return to Munster for the next two seasons was in his best interests.

As the holder of two South African caps and regarded as one of the finest front-row practitioners available to Springbok coach Pieter de Villiers, he was very much in line for a place in the World Cup squad set to defend their title in New Zealand in 2011.

However, the return home of CJ van der Linde and BJ Botha after their respective stints with Leinster and Ulster along with the presence of a whole crop of highly-rated props vying for Springbok recognition convinced him that another session with Munster was just the job until the World Cup was over and done with. The 27-year-old from Orange Free State had the happiest of memories from the three months spent with the side last season and last night was happy to report that nothing has changed in the meantime.