CJ Stander

CJ Stander
Full name Christiaan Johan Stander[1]
Date of birth (1990-04-05) 5 April 1990
Place of birth George, South Africa
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 1⁄2 in)
Weight 114 kg (17 st 13 lb)
School Oakdale Agricultural, Riversdale
University University of Pretoria
Notable relative(s) Janneman Stander (brother)
Ryk Neethling (brother-in-law)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Back-Row
Provincial/State sides
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2010–2012
2012–present		 Blue Bulls
Munster		 36
87		 (55)
(135)
correct as of 23 Oct 2016.
Super Rugby
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2012 Bulls 16 (20)
correct as of 24 Aug 2012.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2009–2010
2016–present		 South Africa U20
Ireland		 10
10		 (15)
(15)
correct as of 26 November 2016.

Christiaan Johan Stander (born 5 April 1990) is a South African-born Irish international rugby union footballer. He can play either as a Flanker or Number 8. He represented the Bulls in Super Rugby and the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup, and is currently playing for Irish province Munster in the Pro12 and European Rugby Champions Cup. Internationally, Stander now plays for Ireland after qualifying through residency.

Early life

Stander was born in George, South Africa, where his family owned a farm.[2] He first began playing rugby at the age of 9.[3] Stander first played as a Fly-half before shifting to Number 8 at the age of 14.[4] Prior to focusing on rugby, Stander was a champion discus thrower as a teenager.[5]

Bulls

In his debut Super Rugby season for the Bulls, Stander played in the first 13 games, scoring 4 tries.[6]

Munster

2012–13

In June 2012, Stander signed a deal to join Irish province Munster on a two-year contract at the end of the 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division season.[7][8] As Munster could not sign any more internationally capped players, he was signed as a project player. This means that Stander would be eligible to play for Ireland under IRB residency laws if he stayed with Munster for three years. He arrived in Ireland to join up with the Munster squad on 30 October 2012.[9] Stander made his debut for Munster on 25 November 2012, coming on as a replacement in the Pro 12 fixture against Scarlets.[10] He made his first start for Munster against Glasgow Warriors in Thomond Park on 1 December 2012, scoring two tries in a Man-of-the-Match winning performance.[11] Stander was ruled out for a month after breaking a bone in his hand during the Glasgow game.[12] He made his comeback from the injury on 5 January 2013, in a Pro 12 game against Cardiff Blues in Musgrave Park. As he was ineligible to represent Munster in the Heineken Cup, Stander instead turned out for Munster A in the British and Irish Cup, playing at Number 8 against Aberavon RFC and Plymouth Albion, scoring a try against the latter.[13][14] Stander scored his third try in just four appearances for Munster on 9 February 2013, when he made his second start for the club against Edinburgh.[15]

2013–14

Stander scored his first try in his second season at Munster during an uncapped pre-season friendly against Gloucester Rugby on 24 August 2013.[16] He scored two tries in his first full appearance of the season, against Zebre, on 13 September 2013.[17] Stander made his Heineken Cup debut on 12 October 2013, coming off the bench against Edinburgh in Munster's opening pool game.[18] He came off the bench against Gloucester during Munster's 26–10 victory on 19 October 2013.[19] Stander was also a replacement during Munster's 36–8 win against USA Perpignan on 8 December 2013.[20] He came off the bench in the 7–20 away win against Gloucester on 11 January 2013, a win that secured quarter-final qualification.[21] In January 2014, Stander signed a new two-year contract that will see him remain with Munster until June 2016.[22] Stander scored his seventh try for Munster in a Pro 12 fixture against Cardiff Blues on 8 February 2014.[23] He came on as a replacement after 18 minutes for injured captain Peter O'Mahony in Munster's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse on 5 April 2014, scoring his first Heineken Cup try in the 47–23 win and earning the Man-of-the-Match award.[24] Stander started in Munster's 24–16 semi-final defeat to Toulon on 27 April 2014.[25]

2014–15

Stander scored two tries in Munster's 13–14 defeat against Edinburgh in their opening Guinness Pro12 game on 5 September 2014.[26] He also scored a try in Munster's win against Treviso on 12 September 2014.[27] Stander started in Munster's first 2014–15 European Rugby Champions Cup game against Sale Sharks on 18 October 2014, earning the Man-of-the-Match award in the 26–27 away win.[28] He started against Saracens F.C. in Round 2 of the Champions Cup on 24 October 2014.[29] Stander started the Round 3 game against ASM Clermont Auvergne on 6 December 2014.[30] He also started in the reverse fixture against Clermont on 14 December 2014.[31] Stander scored a try and won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 28–13 win against Leinster on 26 December 2014.[32] He also scored a try in the 7–31 away win against Zebre on 10 January 2015, again winning the Man-of-the-Match award.[33] Stander started against Saracens on 17 January 2015, but went off with an injured ankle in the first-half.[34] The injury ruled Stander out for 4 to 6 weeks.[35] He returned from the injury on 21 February 2015, starting in the game against Scarlets.[36][37] Stander scored a try in Munster's 22–10 win against Glasgow Warriors on 28 February 2015.[38] He won his fifth Man-of-the-Match award of the season in Munster's 42–20 win against Connacht on 28 March 2015.[39] Stander scored a try in Munster's 3–34 win against Edinburgh on 11 April 2015.[40] He won the 2015 Munster Rugby Senior Player of the Year Award in April 2015, becoming the first overseas player to do so.[41] He scored a try in the 30–19 win against Treviso on 25 April 2015.[42] Stander won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 23–23 draw against Ulster on 9 May 2015.[43] He was named in the 2014–15 Pro12 Dream Team, alongside teammate Tommy O'Donnell.[44] He scored a try in Munster's 50–27 win against Newport Gwent Dragons on 16 May 2015.[45] Stander was named Man-of-the-Match in Munster's 21–18 play-off semi-final win against Ospreys on 23 May 2015.[46] He started in the 2015 Pro12 Grand Final against Glasgow Warriors on 30 May 2015.[47]

2015–16

Stander captained Munster in their opening fixture of the 2015–16 Pro12 against Treviso on 5 September 2015, scoring two tries and earning the Man-of-the-Match award in the 18–13 win for Munster.[48] He came off the bench against Ospreys on 13 September 2015, scoring a try that leveled the scores and allowed Ian Keatley to kick the conversion that won the match for Munster.[49] On 30 October 2015, Stander captained Munster in their 32–38 win against provincial rivals Ulster.[50] On 4 November 2015, it was announced that, in the absence of regular captain Peter O'Mahony, Stander would captain Munster during the pool stage of the 2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup.[51] He started the opening pool game of the tournament against Treviso on 14 November 2015, scoring a try and earning the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 32–7 win.[52] In December 2015, Stander signed a two-year contract extension with Munster, which will see him remain with the province until at least June 2018.[53] Stander started against Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup on 12 December 2015.[54] On 16 January 2016, Stander scored a try and won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 26–13 win against Stade Français.[55] On 25 March 2016, immediately after returning from international duty with Ireland, Stander scored a try in Munster's 47-0 win against Zebre.[56] In May 2016, Stander won the IRUPA Players' Player of the Year Award, just the third overseas player to do so. He also won the Irish Times-sponsored Supporters' Player of the Year Award, becoming the first overseas winner of the award and the first player to win both the Players' and Supporters' awards in the same season..[57][58] On 7 May 2016, Stander scored a try and won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 31-15 win against Scarlets, a win which secured Champions Cup rugby for the following season.[59] Stander was named in the 2015–16 Pro12 Dream Team, the second consecutive season he has achieved the accolade. In May 2016, Stander was named the Munster Player of the Year, becoming the first player to win the award in successive seasons.[60] During the season, Stander won a total of four Man-of-the-Match awards, scored seven tries and captained Munster in 18 games.[61]

2016–17

On 1 October 2016, Stander scored two tries in Munster's 49-5 win against Zebre in a 2016–17 Pro12 fixture.[62] On 29 November 2016, Stander was named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year at an event in Dublin.[63]

South Africa

Having already represented the side at the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship, Stander captained the South Africa Under-20 team that competed in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship, leading them to a third-place finish.[64][65] He was called up to train with the Springboks squad in June 2012, but was not part of the final squad.[66]

Ireland

In May 2015, Stander, who qualified for Ireland by residency on the day after the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final, told Pro12's official website, "I will have to decide [between South Africa and Ireland] but I think I have set my sights on Ireland and I think that is what I'm going to pursue."[67]

In January 2016, Stander was called-up to Ireland's training squad for the 2016 Six Nations Championship.[68] On 20 January 2016, Stander was named in Ireland's 35-man squad for the 2016 Six Nations.[69] On 7 February 2016, Stander made his debut for Ireland, starting against Wales in their opening match of the Six Nations and earning the Man-of-the-Match award in 16–16 draw.[70] On 13 February 2016, Stander started against France in Ireland's second game of the Six Nations.[71] On 12 March 2016, Stander scored his first try for Ireland in their 58–15 win against Italy.[72]

On 25 May 2016, Stander was named in the 32-man Ireland squad to tour his native South Africa in a 3-test series.[73] On 11 June 2016, Stander started in the first test against South Africa. He was sent off during the first half for a late hit on Patrick Lambie, the first red card of his career.[74][75] In the subsequent disciplinary hearing, Stander was banned for one week.[76] On 26 October 2016, Stander was named in Ireland's squad for the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[77] On 5 November 2016, Stander started in Ireland's test against New Zealand at Soldier Field, Chicago, scoring a try in a 40-29 win that was Ireland's first ever against the All Blacks.[78]

Personal life

Stander is married to Jean-Marié Neethling, the sister of South African olympic gold medalist Ryk Neethling.[79] He is also the brother of Janneman Stander, a rugby union player for the SWD Eagles.[80]

Reference List

  1. ↑ "SA Rugby Player Profile – CJ Stander". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  2. ↑ "Big Interview: CJ Stander". independent.ie. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "CJ Stander interview: 'I need to play the best game of my life against Toulon '". irishtimes.com. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "From a South African farm to captaining Munster: The rise of CJ Stander". the42.ie. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "CJ Stander: If I get the chance to play for Ireland I'll sing the anthem with all my heart". independent.ie. 3 November 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "Munster bring in South African back row CJ Stander". BBC Sport. 21 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "Munster Complete Their Squad". munsterrugby.ie. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  8. ↑ "Munster bring in South African back row CJ Stander". BBC Sport. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  9. ↑ "CJ Stander In, Troy Smith Out". munsterrugby.ie. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  10. ↑ "Ronan in wars as Munster fall short". independent.ie. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  11. ↑ "Comfortable Win For Munster". munsterrugby.ie. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  12. ↑ "Munster's in-form CJ Stander ruled out for a month by broken hand". BBC Sport. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  13. ↑ "Munster A Remain Undefeated". munsterrugby.ie. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  14. ↑ "Quarter Final In Store For Munster A". munsterrugby.ie. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  15. ↑ "Solid Second Half Swings It". munsterrugby.ie. 10 February 2013. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  16. ↑ "Winning Start To SEAT Series". munsterrugby.ie. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  17. ↑ "Bonus Point Win In Parma". munsterrugby.ie. 13 September 2013. Archived from the original on 16 September 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  18. ↑ "Disappointing Defeat In Murrayfield". munsterrugby.ie. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  19. ↑ "Heineken Cup Win In Thomond Park". munsterrugby.ie. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  20. ↑ "Munster Top Of Group After Bonus-Point Win". munsterrugby.ie. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  21. ↑ "Quarter Final Place Secured". munsterrugby.ie. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  22. ↑ "Contract Extenstions For Casey And Stander". munsterrugby.ie. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  23. ↑ "Six-Try Munster Sweep Blues Aside". irishrugby.ie. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  24. ↑ "Vintage Munster March On". munsterrugby.ie. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  25. ↑ "Toulon End Munster's European Campaign". munsterrugby.ie. 27 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  26. ↑ "Munster Lose Opener To Edinburgh". munsterrugby.ie. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  27. ↑ "Munster Pass Treviso Test". munsterrugby.ie. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  28. ↑ "Foley hails match winning hero Ian Keatley". independent.ie. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  29. ↑ "Munster Overcome Saracens". munsterrugby.ie. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  30. ↑ "Clermont Claim Win At Thomond Park". munsterrugby.ie. 6 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  31. ↑ "Losing Bonus Point Secured At Clermont". munsterrugby.ie. 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  32. ↑ "Munster Return To Winning Ways". munsterrugby.ie. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  33. ↑ "Bonus Point Victory In Parma". munsterrugby.ie. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  34. ↑ "Munster Lose Out In London". munsterrugby.ie. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  35. ↑ "JJ Hanrahan hints at possible return to Munster in future". irishtimes.com. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  36. ↑ "Foley Makes 8 Changes For Scarlets". munsterrugby.ie. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  37. ↑ "Munster Fight For Vital Points". munsterrugby.ie. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  38. ↑ "Winning Ways Continue In Cork". munsterrugby.ie. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  39. ↑ "Bonus Point Win At Thomond Park". munsterrugby.ie. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  40. ↑ "Bonus Point Win At Murrayfield". munsterrugby.ie. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  41. ↑ "Stander Scoops Player Of The Year Award". munsterrugby.ie. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  42. ↑ "Munster Make Home Advantage Count". munsterrugby.ie. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  43. ↑ "Honours Even At Kingspan Stadium". munsterrugby.ie. 9 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  44. ↑ "Stander & O'Donnell Make PRO12 Dream Team". munsterrugby.ie. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  45. ↑ "Munster Do The Job In Cork". munsterrugby.ie. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  46. ↑ "Final Beckons After Incredible Win". munsterrugby.ie. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  47. ↑ "Munster Well Beaten As Warriors Claim Title". munsterrugby.ie. 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  48. ↑ "Shaky Start For Munster". munsterrugby.ie. 6 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  49. ↑ "Munster Just Shade It In Swansea". munsterrugby.ie. 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  50. ↑ "Munster Come Alive With Bonus Point Win". munsterrugby.ie. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  51. ↑ "Foley & Hurley Attend European Launch". munsterrugby.ie. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  52. ↑ "CJ Stander inspires ragged Munster to crucial bonus point victory over Treviso". independent.ie. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  53. ↑ "Stander Signs Up For Two More Years". munsterrugby.ie. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  54. ↑ "Tigers Pounce In Thomond". munsterrugby.ie. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  55. ↑ "Munster Bounce Back In Style At Thomond". munsterrugby.ie. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  56. ↑ "Record Win Recorded In Thomond". munsterrugby.ie. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  57. ↑ "Stander Voted IRUPA Players' Player Of The Year". munsterrugby.ie. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  58. ↑ "Outstanding CJ Stander does the double at annual IRUPA awards". irishtimes.com. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  59. ↑ "Champions Cup Rugby Secured". munsterrugby.ie. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  60. ↑ "Stander Scoops Award For Second Successive Year". munsterrugby.ie. 13 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  61. ↑ "Season 2015/16 In Stats". munsterrugby.ie. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  62. ↑ "Try Fest In Thomond". munsterrugby.ie. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  63. ↑ "Stander Honoured At Rugby Writers Awards". munsterrugby.ie. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  64. ↑ "Who is CJ Stander?". touchlinerugby.com. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  65. ↑ "Strong SA Under-20 squad announced". rugby15.co.za. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  66. ↑ "Final Bok planning squad named". planetrugby.com. 24 May 2012.
  67. ↑ "Munster star CJ Stander favouring Ireland over Springboks". ESPN (UK). 4 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  68. ↑ "Squad Update". munsterrugby.ie. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  69. ↑ "Ireland Squad Named For Opening Rounds Of RBS Six Nations". irishrugby.ie. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  70. ↑ "Ireland And Wales Play Out Pulsating Draw In Dublin". irishrugby.ie. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  71. ↑ "Ireland Suffer First Loss To France Since 2011". irishrugby.ie. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  72. ↑ "Rampant Ireland cut loose to crush Italians". rte.ie. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  73. ↑ "32 players named in Ireland squad for South Africa tour". irishrugby.ie. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  74. ↑ "14-Man Ireland Stand Firm For Famous Tour Win". irishrugby.ie. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  75. ↑ "VIDEO: CJ Stander's red card against South Africa". planetrugby.com. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  76. ↑ "Stander handed one-week suspension". planetrugby.com. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  77. ↑ "Six Uncapped Players In Ireland Squad". irishrugby.ie. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  78. ↑ "Ireland Stun All Blacks To Create History In Chicago". irishrugby.ie. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  79. ↑ "The South African TV feature on CJ Stander's wedding is very glossy indeed". thescore.ie. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  80. ↑ "Blitsige Janneman word 'n SWD-Arend" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Denis Hurley		 Munster captain
2015-16 		Succeeded by
Billy Holland
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