'Accidents happen': South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber understanding of Munster duo's fire accident

As a former Munster defence coach from 2016-17, the Afrikaaner was able to contextualise the act of adding petrol to a fire pit as part of the ‘trials’ of being a South African exiled in rainy Ireland

Former Munster defence coach Jacques Nienaber now has the top job with South Africa. Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Damian de Allende and RG Snyman could not have asked for a more understanding ear when South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber sought explanations in the aftermath of their accident around the fire pit on Saturday night.

The Springbok duo, along with Munster team-mates Mike Haley and CJ Stander, had escaped a petrol can explosion with only superficial burns and while some may take a dim view of literally adding fuel to the fire, Nienaber, like his Munster counterparts, was prepared to treat the incident and its victims with some empathy.