The 2022/23 rugby season wraps up this weekend as Munster go in search of a first trophy since 2011 as they take on the DHL Stormers in the final of the BKT United Rugby Championship [kick-off 5.30pm].

After a slow start to the season, where they lost five of seven games, few would have believed that they would be firmly in the mix at this stage.

However, Graham Rowntree's side, under a new coaching ticket this year, have exceeded expectations and recovered from a mid-season dip to work their way through the play-offs and book a place in the decider.

Defending champions Stormers stand in their way but Munster, who beat the hosts here in the regular season just last month, will believe that they have a great shot.

Here’s what you need to know about the Grand Final.

RADIO

Listen to the game live on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport, with commentary from Michael Corcoran with James Downey.

TV

Stormers v Munster is live on TG4 and Premier Sport and URC.tv. Highlights on Against the Head, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, Monday 8pm.

ONLINE

Follow a live match tracker on the RTÉ News app and RTÉ.ie/sport, while we'll also have a report, reaction and player ratings.

WEATHER

Set to be fair, mostly clear, with temperature around 16-17C in Cape Town. Moderate breeze.

Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Stormers are bidding to emulate Leinster (2013, 2014 and 2018-21) as the only team to successfully defend the title, while Munster have been beaten in the last three finals they reached (2015, 2017, 2021).

However, Munster have rampaged through the end of the season with four wins on the road, including the round 17 match here last month.

Rowntree's charges have also beaten Glasgow and Leinster and drawn with the Sharks.

With the team on the verge of losing out on Champions Cup qualification, they have rebounded impressively to earn their spot in the final.

The recent win here for Munster will give them the confidence that they can do another job on the hosts.

Stormers boss John Dobson can call upon fit-again lock Marvin Orie and flanker Deon Fourie.

The backline is unchanged from the semi-final win, with Herschel Jantjies and Manie Libbok pairing off in the half-backs as expected.

Steven Kitshoff captains the side for the final time before his departure to Ulster.

Munster are boosted by the return of Conor Murray, Malakai Fekitoa, Calvin Nash and RG Snyman (replacement), who all missed the semi-final.

Peter O'Mahony leads the team.

TEAMS

Stormers: Damian Willemse; Angelo Davids, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas; Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies; Steven Kitshoff (capt), Joseph Dweba, Frans Malherbe; Marvin Orie, Ruben van Heerden; Deon Fourie, Hacjivah Dayimani, Evan Roos.

Replacements: JJ Kotze, Ali Vermaak, Neethling Fouche, Ben-Jason Dixon, Willie Engelbrecht, Marcel Theunissen, Paul de Wet, Clayton Blommetjies.

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O'Mahony (capt), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, RG Snyman, Alex Kendellen, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Keith Earls.

OFFICIALS

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 36th league game)

AR 1: Mike Adamson (SRU)
AR 2: Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Munster 34-18 Stormers, URC Round 2, Thomond Park, 2 October 2021
Stormers 24-26 Munster, URC Round 17, DHL Stadium, 15 April 2023

ROAD TO THE FINAL

Stormers
Regular season: Third
Quarter-final: 33-21 v Bulls
Semi-final: 43-25 v Connacht

Munster
Regular season: Fifth
Quarter-final: 5-14 v Glasgow
Semi-final: 15-16 v Leinster

John Dobson (Stormers head coach): "You've got an Irish, European giant in Munster against us. I personally feel having been in this final there's a bit more institutional knowledge and definitely a bit more confidence, a bit more that we know what we’re going in for. The big thing is that we haven’t beaten Munster in the URC...so that causes a bit more anxiety."

Graham Rowntree (Munster head coach): "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. 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."

The 2023/24 URC regular season is due to begin on the weekend of 20 October.