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 its 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 just 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, which has struggled for form in the United Rugby Championship so far this season.

He hasn't had a minute of media training and it's an absolute joy to watch/listen to 🤣 #MUNvRSA #fbombs pic.twitter.com/Mpd2FiMPgA

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 10, 2022

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 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

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

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'

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

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