Munster produced a fine comeback to make it two bonus-point wins to start the season against an impressive DHL Stormers side at Thomond Park on Saturday night.
The visitors raced into a 15-0 lead but Munster’s forward power proved too much as tries from Jack O’Donoghue (two), Jean Kleyn, Niall Scannell and RG Snyman secured the victory.
O’Donoghue’s first try on the stroke of half-time was vital with quick-fire scores from Jean Kleyn, Scannell and O’Donoghue’s second completing the comeback before the hour.
Snyman’s first try for Munster late on was the icing on the cake with Joey carbery kicking two conversions as Ben Healy kicked a conversion of his own and a monster penalty in the final play.
Stormer looked extremely dangerous in the first half and won an early scrum penalty with the elusive out-half Manie Libbok off target.
The visitors then took the lead after a flowing move that ended with Warrick Gelant touching down despite an excellent recovery tackle from Calvin Nash.
Munster were in real trouble when a Ruhan Nel offload released Leolin Zas down the wing for the second Stormers try on 20 minutes with Libbok slotting the conversion to make it 12-0 .
Libbok looked to have jinked over for a third Stormers try after another flowing move but the try was ruled out with Peter O’Mahony forcing a knock-on inches from the line.
A Stormers penalty made it 15-0 as the one-way traffic continued and Munster were penalised for a two-man latch when they looked to hit back.
The host did get off the mark after the pack pounded at the Stormers line and O’Donoghue finished well from close-range. Carbery’s conversion made it 15-7 at the interval.
Stormers’ Salmaan Moerat was sin-binned early in the second half for dangerous play in the lineout and Munster took advantage immediately as Kleyn powered over with Carbery converting.
The province were ahead for the first time minutes later when Scannell scored after a well-executed rolling maul.
The comeback was well and truly complete when Jack O’Donoghue scored his second on 56 minutes and although Carbery’s conversion cam back off the post, Munster led 24-15.
Stormers opened their second-half account through a Tim Swiel penalty on 65 minutes but the game was settled two minutes later as Snyman peeled off a maul and slammed down on-handed to open his Munster account and seal the victory.
Healy converted and completed the scoring with a booming penalty in the final play.
United Rugby Championship Round 2 Round-Up
RG Snyman scored his first try for Munster.
Gavin Coombes was named Player of the Match.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Keith Earls (Simon Zebo, 59), Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery (Ben Healy, 61), Craig Casey (Rowan Osborne, 71); Dave Kilcoyne (Jeremy Loughman, 47), Niall Scannell (Diarmuid Barron, 69), Keynan Knox (Stephen Archer, 60); Jean Kleyn (RG Snyman, 58), Fineen Wycherley; Peter O’Mahony (C), Jack O’Donoghue (Jack O’Sullivan, 72), Gavin Coombes.