Stander: Munster prepared me perfectly for Test rugby

Stander joined Munster from his native South Africa in the summer of 2012 and swiftly set about establishing himself as a key player for the province.

The 25-year-old was dominant last season, scoring nine tries in 21 GUINNESS PRO12 appearances as Anthony Foley's side reached the Final.

That earned him an Ireland call-up - through the three-year residency rule - and produced a man-of-the-match performance on his Test debut against Wales last month.

"Playing for Ireland is something I've learned about down in Munster and I've tried to take in all of the culture and country, tried to learn what Ireland is about," he told the club website.

"I've done a lot from my side and I enjoy it, I enjoy playing for Ireland. It's something different, but I've worked hard the last three years and I wanted to do it and being here now, the last six weeks have been the best time of my life.

"When I walked in here I wanted to just bring energy to the team. I want to bring energy to the pitch, perform as best I can, all the time, don't let the boys down."

Stander followed up his display against Wales with starts in defeat to France and England and he will be hoping to taste victory for the first time with the men in green against Italy this afternoon.

But the former South Africa Under-20 captain is already looking beyond that, to a long a prosperous career in green.

He added: "The thing is I'm always going to be South African, I'm never going to be an Irishman, but I can try my best.

"I can get an Irish passport in the next 18 months, that would be ideal, but I will try to be the best South African Irish person I can be."

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