'That is going to give us a shot in the arm' - Rowntree savours Springbok scalp

'It’s brilliant, a special night for the club and a special night for all those people who worked exceptionally hard to get this game organised.'

WARM EMBRACE: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree and Simon Zebo of Munster after their side's victory in the match between Munster and South Africa Select XV at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Graham Rowntree celebrated a famous Munster victory and a special night for the province as South Africa A were beaten 28-14 on rugby’s first visit to Cork’s Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Thursday night.

A sell-out crowd of 41,400, the largest attendance to witness a rugby match in the southern province turned the home of Cork GAA into a fortress as Rowntree’s men outscored a South African squad containing 14 capped Springboks by four tries to one in almost constant rain by the banks of the Lee.