The three callers who helped CJ Stander to man-of-the-match debut

In the build-up to his Test debut against Wales last Sunday, CJ Stander said he got three phone calls that helped him prepare for what would be a man-of-the-match performance.

Caller one: Anthony Foley, Munster head coach

“Axel gave me a call on the Friday and said to me, ‘Listen, it’s your first cap, it’s going to be quick, you’re not going to remember much but everyone around are international players so you don’t have to overwork, just do what you do every week.’ That was also great advice.

“I just came around the corner, got the ball in my hand like I’m used to and it was good to get a few good carries in in the first few minutes. I knew I was set for the rest of the game. It was a great feeling.”

Caller two: Stander’s wife, Jean-Marie

“My wife rang me on the morning of the game and she was saying ‘you’re stressing’ and I’m like ‘no’ and she said, ‘I can hear you’re stressing.’ I was like, ‘It’s an unknown, a new world for me,’ and she said, ‘Just don’t stress, it’s just another game.’

“She was in the crowd. I caught a glimpse of her waving her arms and stuff, she was stretching more than me. It was great to have her there because she’s been pushing me the last six years to perform week in, week out. She has a lot to do with how I perform, backstage, pushing me, encouraging.”

Caller three: Jannie Stander, CJ’s father

“I told them on the Tuesday I wasn’t sure what was going to happen so not to come over. So they didn’t make the trip over. They’re planning to come to the next home match.

“My dad called me. He hasn’t really played at top level but he rang me on the day of the game and he said, ‘Listen, all you have to do is the basics, just pass, tackle and run.’ It was great advice.”