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Christiaan Johan Stander (born 5 April 1990) is a South African-born Irish people former rugby union player. Stander's career began in his native South Africa, where he played for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup between 2010 and 2012 and for the Bulls in Super Rugby in 2012. He moved to Irish province Munster Rugby in 2012 and, after qualifying via residency in 2015, made his debut for Ireland in 2016, going on to earn 51 caps for his adopted country, as well as 1 cap for the British & Irish Lions in 2017, before retiring in 2021.
He earned provincial colours for three consecutive years, representing the at youth tournaments. In 2006, he played for them at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week held in Wellington, Western Cape. He started all three of their matches at the tournament, helping them to two victories and a draw.
Despite still being in the Under-17 age group in 2006, Stander was named captain of the SWD team for the premier high schools rugby union tournament in South Africa, the Under-18 Craven Week, held in Stellenbosch. He led from the front, scoring two tries against the , one try against KwaZulu-Natal and a hat-trick in their final match against the to finish as the tournament's top try scorer. His performances caught the attention of the national team selectors, and Stander was named in and appointed captain of the South Africa Schools Academy side, playing the full 80 minutes in a 15–50 defeat to the more senior South Africa Schools side.
Stander was again named captain of SWD for the 2008 Craven Week, which was held at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria. He helped them to a 26–21 victory over hosts the in their first match, before scoring two tries in a 30–13 victory over the in their second match and one try in a 31–25 victory against the Free State in the main match of the tournament, as SWD was crowned the unofficial champions for the first time since 2001. At the conclusion of the tournament, Stander was named in the South Africa Schools squad, but ended on the wrong side of a shock result as the secondary Schools Academy side beat them 41–19 in a match played in Durban.
He initially found himself fast-tracked into their Under-21 team, starting their first four matches in the Under-21 Provincial Championship, before then reverting to the Under-19 team. He scored two tries against in his first match at that level, as he helped the team qualify for the semi-finals by winning all six of their matches to top the log. Despite making two further appearances for the Under-21s and scoring a try for them against the Leopards, he represented the Under-19s in the play-offs, but the team failed to get past their trans-Jukskei River rivals the at the semi-final stage.
However, that turned out to be his only involvement in the competition, as he once again linked up with the South Africa Under-20 team, being named as captain for the team due to compete in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship. For the second Junior World Championship in a row, Stander scored a try in South Africa's opening match, as they secured 40–14 win over Tonga in their first match. He captained them to a 73–0 victory over Scotland, before being involved in South Africa's first ever defeat in a pool match at the Junior World Championships, as they lost 35–42 to Australia. Despite the result, South Africa qualified for the semi-finals as the best pool runner-up, but lost again at that stage against eventual champions New Zealand. Stander started his fifth match of the competition in his side's 27–22 victory over England in the third-place play-off to emulate their 2009 finish.
Stander returned to domestic rugby for the Blue Bulls by featuring in a compulsory friendly match against the . He was catapulted into their senior squad for the 2010 Currie Cup Premier Division and made his Currie Cup debut on 9 July 2010 – aged – coming on as a replacement in their 38–15 victory over the . He made appearances off the bench in their next six matches before making his first Currie Cup start in a 39–38 victory over in their Round Seven match. He made a further four starts and two appearances as a replacement, but with players like Danie Rossouw returning from international duty, dropped back into the team. He made one start for them during the Under-21 Provincial Championship regular season, scoring a try in their 41–36 victory over . The team finished second on the log to qualify for the semi-finals, and Stander started both their 39–35 victory over the s in the semi-final and the final, which Stander's team lost 32–43 to .
Stander again featured in a compulsory friendly match prior to the 2011 Currie Cup, scoring two tries in a 50–19 victory over the in Welkom. After playing off the bench in their first three matches of the Currie Cup season, he then made the number eight jersey his own, being named in the run-on side for all of their remaining matches. He contributed six tries to the team's cause – against the in Potchefstroom, against the , , the and two tries in their final match of the regular season, a 92–21 victory over the Leopards in Pretoria. However, the Blue Bulls endured a poor season and failed to qualify for the semi-finals, finishing in fifth spot on the log. With Stander only 21, he dropped to Under-21 and started for them in their two play-off matches in the Under-21 Provincial Championship; he scored a try in a 47–18 victory over the s in the semi-finals, and a second in a 46–30 victory over the s in the final, to secure his first silverware since joining the Blue Bulls.
Despite a call-up to train with the South Africa national team as they prepared for the 2012 Rugby Championship, Stander was not included in their final squad and instead continued to represent the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup. Although his move to Munster was already announced, Stander still featured in all eleven of their matches in the competition. He scored two tries in his first start in the competition against the , and more tries against the , and their return match against the Free State Cheetahs. The team finished in fourth place on the log and Stander's final match in a Blue Bulls jersey was their 3–20 defeat to the Sharks in the semi-finals.
Five days after arriving in Ireland, Stander went on a night out in Cork with his new teammates, but ended up almost sleeping on the streets after ending up alone outside of a bar. Stander, with very limited English, was denied entry by the doorman and, not knowing any of his teammates phone numbers and very little money on his person, found himself lost. Fortunately, Stander recalled that one of his new teammates, Barry O'Mahony lived near the a guide dogs facility in Cork, and was able to get a taxi to his home.
Stander made his debut for Munster on 25 November 2012, coming on as a replacement in the Pro12 fixture against Scarlets. He made his first start for Munster against Glasgow Warriors in Thomond Park on 1 December 2012, scoring two tries in a Man-of-the-Match winning performance. Stander was ruled out for a month after breaking a bone in his hand during the Glasgow game. He made his comeback from the injury on 5 January 2013, in a Pro12 game against Cardiff Rugby in Musgrave Park.
As he was ineligible to represent Munster in the Heineken Cup, Stander instead turned out for Munster A in the British and Irish Cup, playing at Number 8 against Aberavon RFC and Plymouth Albion, scoring a try against the latter. Stander scored his third try in just four appearances for Munster on 9 February 2013, when he made his second start for the club against Edinburgh Rugby. Stander revealed in 2020 that he arrived at Munster unable to speak English, and it was two or three years before he was confident enough to speak up during training or meetings.
In January 2014, Stander signed a new two-year contract with Munster. Stander scored his seventh try for Munster in a Pro14 fixture against Cardiff Rugby on 8 February 2014. He came on as a replacement after 18 minutes for injured captain Peter O'Mahony in Munster's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Stade Toulousain on 5 April 2014, scoring his first Heineken Cup try in the 47–23 win and earning the Man-of-the-Match award. Stander started in Munster's 24–16 semi-final defeat to RC Toulonnais on 27 April 2014.
Stander started against Saracens on 17 January 2015, but went off with an injured ankle in the first-half. The injury ruled Stander out for 4 to 6 weeks. He returned from the injury on 21 February 2015, starting in the game against Scarlets. Stander scored a try in Munster's 22–10 win against Glasgow Warriors on 28 February 2015. He won his fifth Man-of-the-Match award of the season in Munster's 42–20 win against Connacht Rugby on 28 March 2015. Stander scored a try in Munster's 34–3 win against Edinburgh Rugby on 11 April 2015.
He won the 2015 Munster Rugby Senior Player of the Year Award in April 2015, becoming the first overseas player to do so. He scored a try in the 30–19 win against Treviso on 25 April 2015. Stander won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 23–23 draw against Ulster Rugby on 9 May 2015. He was named in the 2014–15 Pro12 Dream Team, alongside teammate Tommy O'Donnell. He scored a try in Munster's 50–27 win against Dragons on 16 May 2015. Stander was named Man-of-the-Match in Munster's 21–18 play-off semi-final win against Ospreys on 23 May 2015. He started in the 2015 Pro12 Grand Final against Glasgow Warriors on 30 May 2015.
In December 2015, Stander signed a two-year contract extension with Munster, which will see him remain with the province until at least June 2018. Stander started against Leicester Tigers in the Champions Cup on 12 December 2015. On 16 January 2016, Stander scored a try and won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 26–13 win against Stade Français. On 25 March 2016, immediately after returning from international duty with Ireland, Stander scored a try in Munster's 47–0 win against Zebre Parma.
In May 2016, Stander won the Rugby Players Ireland Players' Player of the Year Award, just the third overseas player to do so. He also won the Irish Times-sponsored Supporters' Player of the Year Award, becoming the first overseas winner of the award and the first player to win both the Players' and Supporters' awards in the same season. On 7 May 2016, Stander scored a try and won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 31–15 win against Scarlets, a win which secured Champions Cup rugby for the following season. Stander was named in the 2015–16 Pro12 Dream Team, the second consecutive season he has achieved the accolade. In May 2016, Stander was named the Munster Player of the Year, becoming the first player to win the award in successive seasons. During the season, Stander won a total of four Man-of-the-Match awards, scored seven tries and captained Munster in 18 games.
On 29 November 2016, Stander was named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year at an event in Dublin. On 10 December 2016, Stander was Man-of-the-Match in Munster's 38–0 win against Leicester Tigers in Round 3 of the 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup. On 7 January 2017, Stander scored a try and won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 32–7 away win against Racing 92. On 21 January 2017, Stander won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 22–10 win against Racing 92, a victory which secured a home quarter-final for Munster in the Champions Cup. On 1 April 2017, Stander scored a try in Munster's 41–16 Champions Cup quarter-final win against Stade Toulousain, though he left the field injured during the second half.
On 22 April 2017, Stander made his return from the ankle injury sustained during Munster's quarter-final, starting in the semi-final against defending champions Saracens and scoring a try, though it wasn't enough to stop the English side from winning 26–10 in the Aviva Stadium. In April 2017, Stander was shortlisted for European Player of the Year. On 27 May 2017, Stander started for Munster against Welsh side Scarlets in the 2017 Pro12 Grand Final.
In a shock announcement in March 2021, Stander confirmed that he would retire from professional rugby at the end of the 2020–21 season, citing family reasons and a desire to retire from the game whilst playing his best rugby. Munster forwards coach Graham Rowntree spoke of his shock at Stander's announcement, whilst also praising Stander, and Stander's provincial and international teammate Peter O'Mahony also paid tribute to Stander.
Stander started for Munster in the 2021 Pro14 Grand Final against Leinster Rugby on 27 March 2021, in what was his final league appearance for the province. There was to be no fairy tale ending though, as Munster lost 16–6 to their rivals. In his 50th Champions Cup appearance, Stander captained Munster in the absence of the injured Peter O'Mahony in their 40–33 home defeat against French club Stade Toulousain in the last 16 of the tournament on 3 April 2021, bringing to an end Munster's 2020–21 and Stander's final European campaign.
Jake White, head coach of the , where Stander began his professional career, tried to persuade Stander to come out of retirement for another season with the Bulls once he'd returned to South Africa; Stander, though flattered by the offer, declined, reiterating that his decision to retire was based on wanting to be near his family.
In his final game for the province in Thomond Park, Stander captained Munster to a 31–27 win against Cardiff Rugby in round 4 of the Pro14 Rainbow Cup on 28 May 2021. Superficial burns sustained during a fire pit incident caused Stander to be ruled out of Munster's final game of the 2020–21 season, away to Italian side Zebre Parma, bringing to an end Stander's career with Munster.
In January 2016, Stander was called up to Ireland's training squad for the 2016 Six Nations Championship. On 20 January 2016, Stander was named in Ireland's 35-man squad for the 2016 Six Nations. On 7 February 2016, Stander made his debut for Ireland, starting against Wales in their opening match of the Six Nations and earning the Man-of-the-Match award in 16–16 draw. On 13 February 2016, Stander started against France in Ireland's second game of the Six Nations. On 12 March 2016, Stander scored his first try for Ireland in their 58–15 win against Italy.
On 25 May 2016, Stander was named in the 32-man Ireland squad to tour his native South Africa in a 3-test series. On 11 June 2016, Stander started in the first test against South Africa. He was sent off during the first half for a late hit on Patrick Lambie, the first red card of his career. In the subsequent disciplinary hearing, Stander was banned for one week. On 26 October 2016, Stander was named in Ireland's squad for the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals. On 5 November 2016, Stander started in Ireland's test against New Zealand at Soldier Field, Chicago, scoring a try in a 40–29 win that was Ireland's first ever against the All Blacks.
On 23 January 2017, Stander was named in the Ireland squad for the opening two rounds of the 2017 Six Nations Championship. On 11 February 2017, Stander scored a hat-trick of tries in Ireland's 63–10 win against Italy in the Stadio Olimpico, Rome, earning the Man-of-the-Match award. This was the first hat-trick scored by an Irish back-row since Brian Robinson's against Zimbabwe at the 1991 Rugby World Cup. It was also the first hat-trick scored by an Ireland player in the Six Nations since Brian O'Driscoll's against Scotland in the 2002 tournament. Furthermore, it was the first hat-trick scored by a forward in Six Nations Championship history and the first by a forward since Frenchman Michel Crauste's in the 1962 Five Nations Championship. Stander's teammate, Craig Gilroy, also scored a hat-trick in the match, making Ireland the first team since England in 1914 to have two hat-trick scorers in a Five or Six Nations game. On 18 March 2017, Stander made a late switch to Number 8 for Ireland when Jamie Heaslip pulled out of the game against England during the warm-up. Ireland went on to win the game in the Aviva Stadium 13–9 and, in doing so, denied England consecutive Grand Slams in the Six Nations. Following his performances in the tournament, Stander was nominated for the 2017 RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship award, alongside teammate Conor Murray.
He started in Ireland's wins against South Africa and Argentina during the 2017 Autumn Internationals, whilst also featuring off the bench in the win against Fiji. Stander started four games for Ireland as they won a Grand Slam in the 2018 Six Nations Championship, featuring off the bench against Italy and scoring a try against England. His try against England was nominated for the Volkswagen-sponsored Try of the Year when the 2018 Rugby Players Ireland Awards nominees were announced in April 2018. Stander started in all three tests in Ireland's historic 2–1 series victory against Australia in June 2018, scoring Ireland's only try and earning the Man-of-the-Match award in their 20–16 third test win. During the 2018 Autumn Tests, Stander started in Ireland's 28–17 win against Argentina on 10 November, and in their 16–9 win against New Zealand on 17 November, a victory that was Ireland's first ever in Dublin against New Zealand.
Stander started in Irelands' 32–20 home defeat against England in the opening round of the 2019 Six Nations Championship on 3 February 2019, though he went off injured during the game. He returned from the injury to start in Ireland's 26–14 win against France on 10 March 2019 and their 25–7 defeat at the hands of Wales on 16 March 2019, a victory that secured a grand slam for the Welsh.
He was selected in the 31-man Ireland squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, having featured in the warm-up match against England and the second fixture against Wales. He started in Ireland's 27–3 win against Scotland in their opening Rugby World Cup pool A fixture on 22 September 2019, as well as their shock 19–12 defeat against hosts Japan in the second pool game, before featuring off the bench in Ireland's 35–0 win against Russia and starting and scoring a try in Ireland 47–5 win against Samoa in their final pool game, a victory that secured Ireland's place in the last eight of the tournament. Stander started in the comprehensive 46–14 quarter-final defeat against New Zealand on 19 October 2019.
Retained by new head coach Andy Farrell in his squad for the 2020 Six Nations Championship, Stander started in Ireland's 19–12 opening win against Scotland on 1 February 2020, their 24–14 win against defending champions Wales on 8 February, and their 24–12 defeat against England, before the tournament was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament eventually resumed in October 2020, with Stander starting and scoring a try in Ireland's 50–17 win against Italy and starting in the 35–27 defeat against France in their final fixture of the tournament. Stander was nominated for the 2020 Six Nations Player of the Championship.
With the usual format of end-of-year international tests not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland instead participated in the Autumn Nations Cup. Stander started in the 18–7 defeat against England on 21 November 2020, the 23–10 win against Georgia on 29 November, and the 31–16 win against Scotland on 5 December, which secured a third-place finish for Ireland in the tournament.
Stander started for Ireland in their 21–16 away defeat against Wales in their opening fixture of the 2021 Six Nations Championship on 7 February 2021, also starting in the 15–13 home defeat against France and the 48–10 away win against Italy, in which Stander scored a try, Stander won his 50th cap for Ireland in their fixture against Scotland on 14 March 2021, leading the side out in their 27–24 away win.
Two days after winning his 50th cap for Ireland, Stander made a shock announcement that he would be retiring from rugby at the end of the 2020–21 season, citing a desire to raise his young daughter around his family in South Africa, to leave the game whilst still in good form, and to reduce the burden placed on his young family by a professional rugby players career. Ireland captain Johnny Sexton expressed his surprise at Stander's decision, whilst also heaping praise on his international teammate.
Following the announcement, many media outlets were quick to praise Stander for his decision and for his impact on Irish rugby. His 51st and final cap for Ireland was their 32–18 win against England in the final round of the 2021 Six Nations on 20 March 2021. In a post-match interview, an emotional Stander thanked supporters and staff and remarked that "dreams do come true". In his final Six Nations campaign, Stander was named in the Team of the Championship.
After retiring, Stander and his family returned to South Africa and settled in the town of Paarl in the Western Cape, where he works as a project controller for construction company Val de Vie Construction, who are responsible for the Val de Vie Estate.
* indicates inclusion of caps for British & Irish Lions
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Correct as of 20 March 2021 CJ Stander, ESPN Scrum, 5 July 2017
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