SPRINGBOK JACO TAUTE intends to relish every minute he plays for Munster between now and when his short-term deal ends in early January and he is not looking beyond that.
The 25-year old, capped three times in 2012, has become a crowd favourite having scored tries against Leinster and Glasgow Warriors in his three games so far.
He was drafted in by Rassie Erasmus following an injury to Francis Saili and has made a big impact in his short time with Munster.
One of his three caps in 2012 was in South Africa’s 16-12 win over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, but since then he has endured a lot of injuries, including a knee problem which kept him out for a year.
However, Taute said he grew up admiring Munster in the Heineken Cup and that it was a dream come through when he got the call to come to Ireland, even on a short-term deal.
“Rsssie contacted me after they knew about Francis’ injury, asking me if I’d be willing to take up this opportunity. I didn’t even have to think about it.
“I joined the Stormers when Rassie was there and when I joined the Springboks he was there, he was the performance analyst, so I knew him well before coming here.
“At the moment, given it is short-term, I would like to take every opportunity in the red jersey to give my utmost best and to play and serve the jersey with the pride and the passion it deserves.
“I don’t want to look too far ahead into the future. I just want to take it week by week and then when the opportunity presents itself we will sit down and see. There is still a lot of water to go under the bridge and I need to play my socks off at every opportunity.”
Taute said the death of Anthony Foley was an enormous shock.
“I only knew Axel for about a month and a half but from the first moment I had any inter-action with him I could sense the pride and the passion he had for this place and for this community. He was absolutely driven, he was a great individual and I could sense that if I get the opportunity to play I had better do the jersey its justice.
“After his passing it was very tough, very sudden, and it brought the group together and all credit must go to the management for really helping us through that time.
“We got through that week and we were lucky to have the opportunity to pay tribute to him in the way that was fitting at Thomond Park and to play for him and the way he wanted us to play.
“The 80 minutes flew past so quickly, it was an unbelievable experience, the crowd was insane. I don’t think I have ever experienced anything like that,” add Taute, who is from Springs near Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, Munster hooker Duncan Casey will be out of action until the new year after picking up a knee injury in the 38-17 win over Glasgow Warriors.
“It could be eight to twelve weeks, we need to wait and see,” said Erasmus, who added that former Ulster centre Sam Arnold could be set for his Munster debut in the coming weeks.
Arnold, who suffered a knee injury during the summer, is poised to play 40 minutes for Garryowen this weekend.
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