Munster will not train at Páirc Uí Chaoimh before South Africa game

Munster will not train at Páirc Uí Chaoimh ahead of their game against South Africa because Graham Rowntree wants it to be a "special moment" for his players when they run onto the pitch for the first time.

The Cork GAA venue hosts a rugby match for the first time on Thursday, with a sell-out crowd of 41,400 making it the largest attendance for a rugby game in the province.

The goal posts for the game have been transported from Thomond Park as Musgrave Park's posts were not an option due to different fittings, and the Munster players will not experience their new surroundings until match day.

"We won’t train there until we actually play there," said Munster head coach Rowntree. "I want it to be a special moment. The lads are going to feel it right from the warm-up.

"Obviously our kickers will go earlier, they’ve changed the floodlights and there’s a different feel and dimension to it. The rest of the guys will see it in the warm-up.

"We’ve been waiting to [play there] for a long time. We’re spoilt with our fans, our support base. How quickly they sold it out and grabbed those tickets shows how important it is to this province."

Rowntree has been boosted by the return of players were on duty with Ireland 'A’, with the exception of Jack Crowley, who is providing injury cover at out-half as Johnny Sexton tries to shake off a dead leg, and the injured Dave Kilcoyne.

Malakai Fekitoa is also back with Munster after playing for Tonga in their 40-6 win over Spain, while Antoine Frisch has resumed full training after his recovering from a calf injury.

"A very impressive young man," said Rowntree of Frisch, who joined Munster from Bristol in the close season.

"I can’t wait to see him play for us. He went away with the Emerging Ireland team