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Munster bring in promising flanker
ESPN Staff
June 21, 2012
The Bulls CJ Stander touches down for a try, Bulls v Brumbies, Super Rugby, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa, April 21, 2012
CJ Stander has penned a two-year deal with Munster © Getty Images
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Munster have completed the signing of Bulls flanker CJ Stander on a two-year deal.

With the likes of David Wallace and Denis Leamy announcing their retirement at the end of last season, Munster have moved to strengthen their back-row resources with his signing the last they will make ahead of next season. Stander has performed well for the Bulls this season with 13 appearances and four tries to his name.

He has also been on the Boks' radar after being included in the six additional players invited to train with South Africa's Test squad ahead of their series with England.

The move has rocked the Bulls with Stander widely regarded as one of the country's brightest prospects. The Bulls CEO Barend van Graan told Supersport: "We identified CJ at schoolboy level already and he was part of our future planning at the Bulls. However we couldn't match the Munster offer - such is the reality of professional sport."

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke wished Stander well at his new club. "Quality players like CJ, who have also shown tremendous leadership abilities, don't come around very often and so it was not a surprise to hear about his overseas offer," Ludeke said. "We would have loved to have had him with us well into the future, but it makes financial sense for CJ to accept the Munster offer."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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