Mike Prendergast: We won't rush back World Cup winning locks

Mike Prendergast is hoping Munster can tap into South Africa's World Cup victory when their Springbok second rows return to action, but the province's assistant coach says it will be three or four weeks before RG Snyman and Jean Kleyn are back.

The pair came off the bench on Saturday at the Stade de France to help see out South Africa's 12-11 win against New Zealand in the World Cup final, and are now heading on a four-day, five-city trophy tour to Johannesburg, Soweto, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban before they enjoy some downtime.

Kleyn earned a surprise call-up to the Springbok squad in May having been overlooked by Ireland, who he represented in 2019, while Snyman looks like he's back to his best after overcoming two career-threatening knee injuries.

Like other provinces, Munster will have a drip-feed of internationals back into their squad following the World Cup. Craig Casey is the first of their Irish contingent to return and is available for selection for this Saturday's meeting with the Dragons at Musgrave Park (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

And Prendergast [below] says both Snyman and Kleyn will be afforded a well-earned break.

"They'll be another few weeks, another three to four weeks," he said of the second row pair.

"We'll give them a bit of time, and it's really important how we manage our internationals, both the South African boys and our Irish lads and how we integrate them back, because there's still a long season to go here.

"That will be crucial to clubs and competitions towards the back end of the competition, it's something we've spoke about in-depth.

"How we do that individually, that we can pad it out over the next number of weeks, hopefully that will stand to us towards the back end of the season."

Luckil