Rugby:Munster have announced the signing of Bulls flanker CJ Stander on a two-year deal. Stander, a former captain of the South Africa Under-20s, will team up with Munster after his involvement in the Currie Cup.

Stander's move will come as a shock to the Bulls, with the 22-year-old having scored four tries in 13 appearances in his debut Super Rugby season. However the highly-rated back-rower turned down the chance to extend his stay in Pretoria and will join Munster, subject to him passing a medical and receiving a work permit.

And it is possible Stander could now go on to play for Ireland should he opt to serve the three-year IRB qualification period.

Barend van Graan, chief executive of the Bulls, said the South Africans were unable to match the offer from Munster. "We identified CJ at schoolboy level already and he was part of our future planning at the Bulls," Van Graan said. "However, we couldn't match the Munster offer - such is the reality of professional sport."

And Bulls coach Frans Ludeke wished Stander well in his decision. "Quality players like CJ, who have also shown tremendous leadership abilities, don't come around very often and so it was not a surprise to hear about his overseas offer," Ludeke said.

"We would have loved to have had him with us well into the future, but it makes financial sense for CJ to accept the Munster offer. I have no doubt that CJ will continue to give everything he has throughout the remainder of our Vodacom Super Rugby campaign as well as our ABSA Currie Cup season."