Munster end 50-year wait for South African scalp

A Munster side shorn of its Ireland squad contingent saw off South Africa ‘A’ 28-14 in front of a record crowd of more than 40,000 fans in Cork.

In the first rugby match ever held at Pairc Ui Chaoimh – the home of Cork GAA – Munster registered their maiden victory over a touring South Africa outfit.

Shane Daly opened the scoring for the hosts after just three minutes, with Ben Healy adding the conversion by splitting posts that had to be transported from Thomond Park in Limerick especially for this match.

Aphelele Fassi’s touchdown and Johan Goosen’s kick brought the tourists level, but Simon Zebo and Diarmuid Barron went over before the break – Healy converting both – as Graham Rowntree’s men pulled clear.

Mike Haley added his name to the scoresheet shortly after the interval, with Healy’s extras making it 28-7 to Munster, who have struggled for form in the United Rugby Championship so far this season.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe’s try just after the hour, converted by Gianni Lombard, served as nothing more than a consolation for the South African XV.

The total attendance of 41,400 was the largest crowd ever to have watched a game of rugby in the province.

The scorers

For Munster

Tries: Daly, Zebo, Barron, Haley

Cons: Healy 4

For South Africa ‘A’

Tries: Fassi, Notshe

Cons: Goosen, Lombard

Yellow card: Liam O’Connor (Munster, 61 – repeated infringement, illegal scrumming)

Teams

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Shane Daly, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Paddy Patterson, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Jack O’Donoghue (captain), 5 Kiran McDonald, 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 Roman Salanoa, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Josh Wycherley.

Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Liam O’Connor, 18 Keynan Knox, 19 Cian Hurley, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Neil Cronin, 22 Patrick Campbell, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.

South Africa ‘A’: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Phendulani Buthelezi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Dan du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Gianni Lombard.