CJ Stander so proud to lead out Munster

CJ Stander needs little reminding of the responsibility as well as the honour associated with the captaincy of the Munster team.

When offered the role by head coach Anthony Foley, the 25-year-old South African knew immediately of the illustrious group he was joining. From Pat Murray in the first year of the European Cup back in 1995/’96, the list reads like a who’s-who of the game in the province and even further afield in the professional era.

Murray, widely regarded as the best full-back never to play for Ireland, was followed by Mick Galwey, Jim Williams, Anthony Foley, Paul O’Connell, Doug Howlett and Peter O’Mahony.

Each and every one made a multitude of appearances for their respective countries.

And now it speaks volumes for the high regard in which the still uncapped Stander is held in that he was offered the job after injury had ruled out O’Mahony.

While deeply honoured he commands so much trust after only three years in this part of the world, he has no doubt concerning his ability to do the job.

He recalls how he first led a side out at the tender age of seven (“I was bigger than everyone else and the coach said just make him captain and I think I’m a natural leader ever since”).

“It’s a big privilege, a big honour, for Munster is a European giant,” he stressed.

“From now on, if I tell someone you missed a tackle, he can come back and say you missed one as well, so I aim to be the best I can be in that jersey so I can tell people what they are doing wrong,” he said.

“I just try and lead the team and see what happens after that. I am trying to be vocal but also to let them get the confidence in me being a leader on the pitch and I can talk even more after that.

“We do have a good group of leaders - Murray, Tomas, Tyler, Keats. We have a lot of boys stepping up and saying good stuff so it’s not necessary to say too much.”

The first test of Stander’s captaincy comes at Thomond Park on Saturday against Treviso in the first round of the European Cup. Since the draw was made Munster fans were delighted at the presence of an Italian team in their pool but invariably with the proviso they must take five points from the home game against Treviso.

True to form, the Munster camp insists the subject hasn’t been discussed and Stander is happy to toe that line.

“For me, for us, we are just trying to win the game and if we can get a bonus point, we can get it,” he insisted.

“They are very physical up front and if you give them a chance, you’re going to be behind the posts and 10-zero as happened to us at the beginning of the year in Cork.”

Stander has just become eligible to play for Ireland and makes no secret of a burning desire to some day realise that ambition.

“To wear the green jersey is a thing I want to do,” he said. “I want to be as good as I can be in the jersey I’m wearing and if I’m doing that with Munster, I can get the same judgment up there.

“I saw Joe Schmidt at training last week. We had a quick chat, he asked me my plans, and it was good to meet him. He just said play as you are playing and we’ll talk to you in January.”