- Two local derbies, Abbeyfeale host Bandon as MJL1 battle warms up
- Richmond surprise Clonmel as Abbeyfeale also advance
- Garryowen win, victory for Bruff but Old Crescent and Thomond beaten
- Excellent individual performances help Munster to a deserved draw
- Death of Mrs June Ward, mother of rugby legend Tony Ward
- Shannon beat Young Munster and UL Bohs pipped by Nenagh
- Duncan Williams starts v the Chiefs with Neil Cronin on the bench
- IRFU referees are named and this week-end’s rugby fixtures list
- Munster A is named for Celtic Cup deciding clash with Leinster
- Garryowen’s Conor Murray signs a new contract with the IRFU
- Kilfeacle RFC may have to re-arrange Saturday’s cup fixture
- Severed goalposts cause Munster Junior League 1 game to be cancelled
- 1A wins for Young Munster and Garryowen, Bohs and Bruff also win
- Blues and Reds serve up a classic but Leinster again take the laurels
- Old Crescent go down to slick Cashel side in rare home defeat
- Leinster and Munster name their teams for to-morrow’s clash
- Munster Rugby announce nominated charities for this season
- St Mary’s will seek first league win this Saturday in Grove Island
- A very critical period of the season ahead for clubs and Ireland
- Two local clubs off to winning starts in Munster Junior League 1
- Munster run up 64 winning points as Ulster’s challenge crumbles at Thomond Park
- Wins for Old Crescent and Thomond on the opening day of the AIL
- Cup specialists Garryowen book their place in another MSC final
- Munster name their sides for this week-end’s two fixtures
- French referee to officiate Heineken Cup clash of Exeter and Munster
- Referees, AIL, Celtic Cup, Guinness PRO14, European games
- Week-end fixtures as the Munster Junior Rugby Leagues kick-off
- Late scores give Newcastle West ticket to Transfield Cup decider
- Shannon v Garryowen next week-end in Munster Senior Cup
- Richmond make it third time lucky with McInerney Cup victory
- Garryowen finish strongest to reach Munster Cup semi-final
- Welsh fully deserved welcome first win of their PRO14 season
- Under 20s 6N 2019 fixtures for Cork, Women for Dublin venus
- Munster A target a third successive victory in the new Celtic Cup
- Chance for JJ to nail the number fifteen shirt for Euro games
- Friday’s derby game highlight of fixtures for the week-end ahead
- Augustin Pichot warns that the international game is under threat
- Let the referees be the judges of suspected concussion at lower grades
- ‘Saints’ suffer heavy cup defeat at the hands of Newcastle West
- Richmond and Garryowen advance in the McInerney Cup
- Impressive Munster mark official surface opening with stylish performance
- Academy stars get another chance to shine in the Celtic Cup
- Munster women well-prepared for title decider against Leinster
- Munster will be keen to get back to winning ways in Cork
- IRFU/University of Limerick injury research findings are published
- Limerick rugby fixtures announced for the coming week-end
- Richmond advance in Transfield Cup with narrow win over Bruff
- Presentation run Richmond close: Abbeyfeale in Transfield final
- Crescent advance in Senior Cup but UL Bohs go down to Cashel
- Munster Women will be trying to add to their win over Connacht
Johann expects a tough encounter as Cheetahs come to town
- Updated: 31/08/2018
(Photo: Key man JJ Hanrahan starts at out-half)
MUNSTER head coach Johann van Graan has reason to expect a real hard test from South African side Toyota Cheetahs tomorrow at Thomond Park.
Heading into their second season in the Guinness PRO14, he expressed the view this week that the visitors will have benefited from that experience and they will be out to impress in their opening game of the championship.
Cheetah coach Franco Smith, who put his duties as Springbok Attack Coach aside to focus fully on this side, is confident of a good performance by his charges: “We are excited to be involved in the Guinness PRO14 again. We have a huge task ahead of us with new players who joined the squad and we want to make South Africa and Guinness PRO14 proud.
“Tomorrow is the beginning of a new season. We are realistic. We will have to stick to the process and try to adapt as quick as possible to the required tempo and intensity.”
The two sides have met twice before with Munster winning both encounters and Munster boss van Graan spoke about narrow margins ahead in this competition: “Last season we lost games by one point and we want to keep that in mind. We want to take points from every game this season and we are focusing on that. All the teams are starting this week-end on zero points in this league so it is all to play for.”
Coach Franco Smith has announced his team for the match.
Oupa Mohoje will be leading the side for the season.
A number of players will be making their Guinness PRO14 debuts: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Tian Schoeman, Luan de Bruin, JP du Preez, Walt Steenkamp, Aidon Davis and Ryno Eksteen.
The team will be travelling to Wales on Sunday for the second match where they will be facing Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday, 8 September at 18:30 (SA time) before they return to Bloemfontein.
Toyota Cheetahs: Malcolm Jaer; Rabz Maxwane, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Nico Lee, William Small-Smith; Tian Schoeman, Shaun Venter; Ox Nche, Jacques du Toit, Luan de Bruin; Justin Basson, JP du Preez, Junior Pokomela, Oupa Mohoje, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Walt Steenkamp, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Ernst Stapelberg, 23 Ryno Eksteen.
The referee for the match is Dan Jones (WRU, 15th competition game). He will be assisted by Craig Evans and Mark Patton. The TMO is Simon McDowell.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login