Irish fans are loving CJ Stander. The Munster hero won the CJ Stander man of the match award on his international debut (Is anyone surprised?), and seemed to bring a new dimension to Ireland with his 23 carries in the game.

But it wasn't just the Irish nation who was following Stander's international debut with interest. The former South African U-20 captain has a legion of fans in his country of birth, who were all delighted that Stander has been able to play international rugby. They all came to the same conclusion after the game - that South African coach Heineke Meyer made a huge mistake in letting Stander leave the country for Munster, and that he's a loss to South African rugby. There's no second rate foreign player here.

How good is CJ Stander!!!! #IREvWAL loss for @Springboks — Joel Stransky (@stranners) February 7, 2016

Can anyone tell me who in SA rugby said CJ Stander was too small? Also a link with a story about it? Tah. — Sean Wilson (@SimplySean_) February 7, 2016

People blame Quota system for CJ Stander leaving..SA have 10+ flanks and 8th men that can play for any country..😠😠 — Phuti Somo (@boxmachine) February 7, 2016


#IREvWAL CJ Stander man of the match! Well deserved! What a start to his international career! SA's loss! — Keith Andrews (@KeithKandrews) February 7, 2016

CJ Stander named man-of-the-match on debut for Ireland. The only thing small was the thinking of those that told him he can't play for SA. — RhymesWithRuck (@jwcoetzee) February 7, 2016

CJ Stander too small to play international rugby? #manofthematch sad to see SA Rugby lose all these great players #thetimesarechanging — Honest Jonny (@honestjonny) February 7, 2016


CJ Stander. SA's loss is Ireland's complete and utter gain.



His time has come — Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) February 7, 2016

If Heyneke Meyer really did tell CJ Stander that he was too small to play for the Boks, that is further damage he's done to SA rugby — G-Mac (@GreggMac11) February 7, 2016

Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE