Shane Daly, Simon Zebo, Diarmuid Barron, Mike Haley score tries to beat South Africa in front of a sold-out Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork; Fixture was the first rugby match held at the stadium, and first Munster vs SA meeting in the professional era
By Michael Cantillon at Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Last Updated: 10/11/22 9:28pm
A sensational Munster performance saw the Irish province post a historic victory over South Africa in sweeping rain at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork.
Back-three Shane Daly, Simon Zebo and Mike Haley each grabbed tries in a stirring display, while hooker Diarmuid Barron also scored via a rolling maul.
The clash was the first time Munster and South Africa have faced each other in the professional era, and the first rugby match to be staged at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, the home of Cork GAA.
A sell-out attendance of 41,400 fans also made it the largest crowd ever to have watched a rugby match in the province of Munster.
Pacy full-back Aphelele Faasi and back-row Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored tries for South Africa, who arrived with a squad containing 14 players with full Springbok Test caps.
The day belonged to Munster though, as a side shorn of eight players in Ireland international camp, and a further 12 through injury, posted a remarkable performance and victory.
More to follow..
What’s next?
After a season of struggle in which Munster have lost five of their opening seven domestic fixtures in the United Rugby Championship (URC), and dealt with a catalogue of untimely injuries, Rowntree’s charges next face provincial rivals Connacht at Thomond Park on Saturday, November 26 in a must-win clash (7.35pm GMT).
Off the back of a 19-16 defeat to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin last Saturday, the Springboks next face France at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, November 12, in an 8pm (GMT) kick-off.
Meanwhile, Andy Farrell’s Ireland next host Fiji at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, November 12, in a 1pm (GMT) kick-off for the second of their three autumn internationals this Test window.