Fitzgerald welcomes exciting Stander to Munster fold

South African starlet CJ Stander has been welcomed to the Munster fold by chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald, who described the newcomer as a “a hugely exciting signing.”

Stander, who was head-hunted by the province after the double blow of losing David Wallace and Denis Leamy, arrived in Ireland during the early hours of this morning and will spend today going through a battery of medical and fitness tests before being cleared to take up a two year contract.

Having spent an exhausting number of weeks helping South African provincial side the Blue Bulls to the semi-final of the Currie Cup, Stander won’t be asked to participate in Munster’s away RaboDirect Pro12 fixture to Cardiff Blues this weekend, but instead be allowed blend in over the next couple of weeks before being made available for a home tie in two weeks against the Scarlets.