CJ Stander delivered for his newly-adopted Ireland team again.
The Munster captain scored a spectacular, high-flying try that broke the back of Scotland’s resistance at the Aviva Stadium.
Having rammed on the door with little luck for several phases, drives and mauls, the South African took the high road to touch down.
Post-match, Stander explained what was going through his head as he picked and went, and went high. He told us:
“I scored one like that in my second game for Munster, against Glasgow.
“It’s not an ideal way to do it, as if someone knocks the ball out of your hand it is a knock-on. But, I saw there were a few bodies flat in front of me so I thought ‘Why not just jump over?’
“It was sort of like an NFL type thing. I tried and it worked. Next time, it might not but it is good to get that try.”
“I knew I got it down,” Stander added. “I got a knock in the eye just beforehand, was bleeding and couldn’t see too well. I looked back to the [TV] replays but knew I got it down.”
Stander’s next games for Ireland could be in his native South Africa during a three-Test tour, in June.
“If it happens, and I go on that summer tour, great.
“They play a physical game, the supporters get behind them so you need to get your head down, ignore them and do your work.”
