Boks have lifted us all, says Van Graan

MUNSTER coach Johann van Graan believes South Africa’s win over the All Blacks in Wellington is good for rugby all over the world. Van Graan, who left his post as Springboks forwards coach to take charge of the Reds last year, said he was thrilled with his native country’s stunning 36-34 win over the World Cup holders. ‘It was a great Test match between two great rivals. The good thing to see was how proud players were afterwards,’ said the Munster boss. ‘It’s not only good for South African rugby but also for world rugby, a great Test match by two quality sides and I’m very, very happy for them.’ Ireland could face either the Springboks or the All Blacks in the World Cup quarter-finals next year and Van Graan (right) knows that clashes between the two southern hemisphere heavyweights — they meet again in his native Pretoria at the home of his former club the Blue Bulls on October 6 — hold a lot of significance for Irish supporters. His Munster predecessor Rassie Erasmus went in the opposite direction a year ago and, prior to last weekend’s encounter, felt his job was on the line. However, Van Graan is reluctant to make any reference to what’s happening in the game back in his homeland. ‘I wouldn’t want to comment on that. I am in Ireland now and I enjoyed the game for what it is. Rassie is a quality coach and I worked with him a small bit in South Africa and I coached against him when I was with the Cheetahs and the Stormers and he is not the national coach for nothing,’ he added.