Johann van Graan embracing Pretoria return with Munster

Johann van Graan has said that some, if not all, of the eight Munster players who were granted a down week after Ireland's Autumn Nations Series will link up with the squad in South Africa next Sunday with a view to playing against the Lions in Johannesburg a week later.

Tadhg Beirne, Joey Carbery, Craig Casey, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Dave Kilcoyne, Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony all remained at home as a 33-man squad departed for South Africa last Saturday in readiness for Saturday's resumption of the United Rugby Championship against the Bulls in Loftus Versfeld (5.45pm Irish time/7.45pm SA time). Damian de Allende was also excused duty after his punishing schedule with the Springboks this year, culminating in his 11th appearance out of 13 Tests against England at Twickenham.

“We’ll treat guys individually, see how they recover after the Test matches, look at certain minutes. Simon (Zebo) and Gavin (Coombes) flew with us, we’ll see how our squad is on this side. We’re living in a time of Covid which we have to take into consideration.

“There will definitely be certain players flying to South Africa next Saturday and arriving next Sunday. We might leave certain guys behind. Our focus is on the Bulls and we’ll see how we get through that game. We’ve planned pretty well, we believe, with the cards we have been given to us and now we’ve got to make the best of it and enjoy the two weeks in South Africa before we return to Ireland.”

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It is a particularly nostalgic return to his home city of Pretoria for van Graan himself.

“It got very real when we drove into Pretoria and drove past the old school (Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool) and past the university and Loftus Versfeld and into our hotel. Really looking forward to it, massive challenge ahead, but great to be in Pretoria.”

As he contemplates being part of the opposition for the first time at Loftus Versfeld, van Graan could reel off a litany of highlights that almost reads like a CV of his life.

“Loftus has been my home as a small boy, starting out as a ballboy there. Some phenomenal moments and Test matches that I had the privilege to be a ballboy at. In 1994, standing next to Andre Joubert and meeting Nelson Mandela, the Rugby World Cup in ’95 when Emile Ntamack scored against the Scots, when Philippe Sella passed me and looking in his eyes, having Jonah Lomu run at Loftus when the All Blacks had their white jerseys, the ’98 Currie Cup win for the Blue Bulls, and starting to work at the Bulls officially on the 1st of November 2003.”

He also recalled the Currie Cup win in 2004 and loss in 2005, three Super Rugby semi-final losses the “highlight” of beating the Chiefs 61-17 in the 2009 final, as well as coaching with the Springboks in three Tests there between 2012 and 2016.

“So phenomenal moments at Loftus, (there is) also the school right across the road, and (now) full circle coming back with Munster, a club I’ve learned to love and call my home.

“I’m from Munster now and great emotions to be part of it, from a team perspective it’s not about me. It’s about Munster, the start of a new block, but personally great to come back to your home town and have some of the memories that I had the privilege of feeling. That’s the beauty of rugby, it’s the memories that you have out of it.”

Altitude

Both games will be played in the high veld, with van Graan and Munster also able to draw on Stephen Larkham’s experiences here as a coach and a player and Graham Rowntree as a coach as they prepare for Saturday’s game, which will be played 1,350 metres above sea level.

“In terms of altitude you’ve got to plan well for it. You can’t wish it away, it’s a fact we’re 1,350 metres above sea level. The heat, I believe it was minus one in Limerick this morning when people woke up and it’s 27 degrees and sunny in Pretoria.

“You can’t move past that, and I believe it’s the beauty of the URC, the fact that the Bulls and the South African teams had to go to Europe and adapt, and now we’ve got to come here, that’s what makes this competition beautiful.

“We’re under no illusions as to the task that awaits us. As Munster, these are the things we’re looking forward to. The Bulls have been phenomenal the last three years at home, it’s a massive challenge that awaits us.”

Of the 10-strong Munster contingent on Irish duty this past month, only two have linked up with the squad in the first week of their South African, namely Coombes and Zebo, who were two of the eight players in the 39-man Ireland squad who didn’t see any game time in the Autumn Series.

New signing Jason Jenkins and 21-year-old Academy flanker Cian Hurley were also added to the initially named 29-man squad, meaning the 25-year-old Jenkins could be in line for his injury delayed Munster debut against his home town team.

After returning from a year's absence, the promising backrower John Hodnett suffered an ankle on AIL duty with UCC, and following a strong start to the season Calvin Nash (ankle) has also joined RG Snyman (knee), Roman Salanoa (knee) and Chris Farrell (abdomen) on the injured list.

None look short-term absences admitted van Graan.

“John Hodnett picked up something in the AIL. Unfortunately for him he had those few minutes against the Ospreys and a few AIL games but he hasn’t had that opportunity to play.

“I’m gutted for Calvin, I think he’s one of the standouts this season thus far if you look at his performances. He was really knocking on the door in terms of our European 23. He’s gutted himself and that will be a bit more long-term.”