Munster head coach Graham Rowntree is predicting an "epic" BKT United Rugby Championship Grand Final between his side and the Stormers, and says his men aren't viewing the game as a shot to nothing.
The province defied expectations to reach the decider in Cape Town, with away wins against both Glasgow and Leinster seeing them secure their place in the final, after they rallied late in the regular season to finish fifth in the table.
While Munster have generally been among the title contenders, and have reached three previous finals across the last eight years, this was predicted to be a season of transition as they got to grips with their new coaching staff.
But despite surprising many to get to the URC's showpiece, Rowntree scoffed at suggestions they have nothing to lose in Cape Town.
"Bonus territory? We went to Glasgow and won, and beat Leinster, we deserve to be here, and we want to win this game. We happen to find ourselves in a final," he said.
Including their Champions Cup Round of 16 meeting with the Sharks in early April, this will be Munster's sixth consecutive game away from home in all competitions, and their third trip to South Africa in just a couple of months.
While Rowntree admits they've made it hard for themselves at times, he says they're a better team as a result of it.
"We don't do things easily," he added. "We've had some good adversarial growth, I think they call it. Our game has developed, we deserve to be here, regardless of what has happened in the domestic rounds, and in the play-offs, and we’re preparing for a final tomorrow.
"We’re going to do our best to win, make sure our game is at its best in order to give us that best opportunity.
"It's the Munster spirit, digging in away from home and right to the end of the game with it.
"Battle-hardened and and fit, we are going to have to be at our best to beat this team tomorrow."
The Munster boss has made three changes to his side from the 16-15 win against Leinster a fortnight ago, with Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Malakai Fekitoa all returning to the backline having come through the return to play protocols for concussion.
Nash is rewarded for his breakthrough season with a start ahead of Keith Earls, while RG Snyman is held in reserve on the bench, with Rowntree preferring to keep Tadhg Beirne (below) in the second row, and have an extra jackal threat in John Hodnett.
"It's a challenge when everyone is fit and available, it's not happened a lot this season. Guys have come in or those guys who missed the semi and played well.
"We had some difficult conversations this morning. I left selection as late as possible to see how we trained, to see how we travel. It's a challenge.
"Both world class players [Beirne and Snyman], I just feel Tadhg deserves that start, he was exceptional the last game. RG has proven he can bring energy off the bench. Not many people can bring RG Snyman off the bench, the 'Bomb Squad'.
"Calvin's form is undeniable all season, but having said that Keith played very well in the last game. To have Keith on the bench, we cover four positions so that's why we've done that. Calvin, I think, merits the start on how he's played throughout the season."
Six weeks ago Munster kickstarted their season by beating the Stormers 26-24 in a thrilling game in Cape Town, and with the stakes even higher on Saturday, Rowntree is expecting the decider to be just as close.
"We've had some huge performances in the last five weeks in difficult places as I alluded to earlier. It would be incredible for the club. This is not an easy trophy to win.
"But we'll deal with how we can make that happen. It would be huge for the club. We’ll approach the game as another game and control what we can. Going into the games, be aware of what Stormers are trying to do to us and what we’ve got to do better in our game.
"You look at the brand of rugby the Stormers have been playing, that final last year. It's certainly bought different challenges with travel, but it's the same with the South Africans. I think tomorrow will show that, it'll be an epic game."
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