Munster will be backed up by a huge travelling support in Cape Town on Saturday evening, as they face the Stormers in the URC final at the Cape Town Stadium.
Graham Rowntree's side are looking to become the first Munster team in 12 years to win silverware, but will face a stern test away against the Stormers, who finished the URC season in third place.
The temperature was ramped up ahead of the final, with the Stormers' head coach John Dobson calling Munster "cheap shots" - after footage had emerged of the Stormers squad celebrating Munster's epic semi-final victory over Leinster.
Ahead of kick-off, however, there are once again concerns about the condition of the pitch in Cape Town, with shocking video footage from the Stormers' captains run showing the pitch breaking up significantly.
Stormers v Munster: Cape Town pitch already breaking up ahead of URC final
There had been concerns about the state of the pitch at the Cape Town Stadium ahead of the Stormers' semi-final against Connacht a fortnight ago, and they have not dissipated as the final against Munster approaches on Saturday evening.
Footage pf the Stormers' captain's run was shared to Twitter by South African sports reporter and commentator Khanyiso Tshwaku, which showed the pitch around the try line completely torn up and bobbing under the weight of players running.
Just from this drill, the pitch has churned up significantly after the first part of the @THESTORMERS captain's run.@Sport24news pic.twitter.com/pQoyWJGgVA
— Khanyiso Tshwaku (@kaymorizm) May 26, 2023
There will naturally be concerns about player safety, with the pitch cutting up so badly before players have even taken to it in anger.
It is disappointing to see the climactic game of the URC season set to be played on a pitch in such dire condition, and one can only hope that it does not lead to any injuries as the sides meet this evening.
The condition of the pitch at the Cape Town Stadium is likely to open up a debate about the potential for an artificial pitch, given much of the URC season is played during the South African winter.
Munster face the Stormers in Cape Town at 5:30pm on Saturday evening in the URC final. The shocking state of the pitch is likely to be a big point of discussion.
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