CONFIRMED: Kleyn to play for Springboks

Former Irish international lock Jean Kleyn has been cleared for Springbok selection under new eligibility rules.

World Rugby confirmed on Thursday that the Johannesburg-born 29-year-old fulfilled the necessary ‘birthright transfer’ requirements.

Kleyn into Springboks fold

The regulation – which came into force at the start of 2022 – allows for players to be selected for their country of birth (or of their parents’ or grandparents’ birth) once a period of at least 36 months has elapsed since last selection for an adopted country.

The former DHL Stormers and Western Province lock moved to Ireland in 2016 and qualified for selection for that country by residency in 2019. He was picked for his adopted country’s Rugby World Cup squad that year and made five appearances. He has not been selected subsequently.

The 2,03m second rower has made more than 130 appearances for Munster and was a part of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship-winning team in Cape Town last month.

Kleyn has been in camp with the Springbok Castle Lager Rugby Championship training squad and is now eligible for selection as early as next month when the Springboks’ 2023 season kicks off against Australia at Loftus Versfeld.

Siya Kolisi is looking forward to returning before the World Cup campaign kicks off following surgery to his knee at the end of April.

Kolisi had surgery to his knee at the end of April and he’s been doing intense rehabilitation since, in the hope of making a full recovery before the Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted in France in September and October.

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KOLISI FEELING GOOD

“I’m feeling good, and my rehabilitation is going well,” said Kolisi.

“I’ve been working hard to recover as well as possible, and it’s great to be able to do so in the team environment. Some of the players have been helping me as well, so I’m taking things day-by-day.

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“Obviously, it’s not a great feeling to be injured, but I’ve been here before and it’s nice to have the support of the coaches and players, as well as the medical and conditioning team, who have been fantastic.

WARM UP GAMES IS THE TARGET FOR SPRINGBOKS CAPTAIN

“I’m progressing each week and I’ve steadily been able to do new things, so I’m confident with how things are going. Hopefully I’ll be able to play in one or two of the Rugby World Cup warm-up games.”

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The Springboks will kick off the 2023 international season against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday 8 July in the shortened version of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

This Test will be followed by clashes against New Zealand at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland (Saturday 15 July) and Argentina at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg (Saturday 29 July).

The team will then play three Rugby World Cup warm-up games – against Argentina in Buenos Aires (5 August), Wales in Cardiff (19 August) and New Zealand in London (25 August) – before travelling to Corsica for a one-week camp en route to Toulon for their opening Rugby World Cup fixture against Scotland on Sunday 10 September.

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