Stander is wary of the threat Connacht pose, having lost at the Sportsground in January, but the Thomond Park faithful will be able to welcome back a number of returning stars after Ireland's recent successes.
And the flanker could not stress the importance of Munster's run-in enough, saying it is time to step up and put in the big performances.
"There are five games left so it's cup rugby," he told Munster's official website.
"There are a lot of teams on similar points to us so it's important to win the big games coming up, starting with Connacht this weekend.
"It's a tough competition and if you don't get a foothold early in the game it makes a massive difference. We lost to Ospreys in the last game and we were well below par that day.
"It's been two weeks since we had a game so I am excited to get back playing.
"Connacht are playing well, and in sixth position. We lost up there in the Sportsground on New Year's Day - the New Year didn't start well for us. They are playing great rugby and it's important to keep that in mind going into this game.
"We have a few boys coming back from injury so it's good to get them back. Hopefully there will be more back in the next few weeks. It was good to have a down week to get the boys recovered and back to full fitness."
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