New Springbok lock Jean Kleyn has revealed the story behind the black eye he was sporting on his recent debut. Image: @Springboks

Springboks 1-0 France at World Rugby level

Jean Kleyn was given the all clear to represent the Springboks this season but France have failed to convince World Rugby in a key bid.

by Wade Pretorius

26-06-2023 10:01

in Rugby

New Springbok lock Jean Kleyn has revealed the story behind the black eye he was sporting on his recent debut. Image: @Springboks

Jean Kleyn was given the all clear to represent the Springboks this season but France have failed to convince World Rugby in a key bid.

The former Ireland international was cleared for a birthright transfer and is now eligible to play for the Springboks in the Rugby Championship.

World Rugby confirmed the decision on Friday, 23 June with Kleyn set to join the Springboks Rugby Championship squad.

JEAN KLEYN CLEARED TO PLAY FOR SPRINGBOKS

Under World Rugby regulations players can switch international allegiances if they haven’t played Test rugby for three years or more.

ALSO READ: Australia set out to target Springboks scrum

According to the altered conditions, Players can change allegiances if they were born in the country they want to represent or have a parent or grandparent born there.

This kind of switch can only been done once in a player’s career and cannot be reversed.

France lose out on Meafou bid

Toulouse’s Australian lock Emmanuel Meafou will not be eligible to represent France before the end of 2023, meaning he will miss out on the Rugby World Cup, a source close to the French rugby federation confirmed.

MUST READ: France want World Rugby to bend laws to clear ineligible player for RWC selection

THE ELIGIBILITY BACKSTORY

The federation had asked the sport’s governing body, World Rugby, that Meafou be given clearance to play for Les Bleus at the September 8-October 28 World Cup in France.

But the lock, born in New Zealand to Samoan parents who moved to Australia when he was two, fails to meet residency criteria upped to five years from three by World Rugby in 2022.

France and Toulouse lock Emmanuel Meafou Photo Mike Egerton Wire — France want lock Emmanuel Meafou to play for them. Photo: Mike Egerton/Wire.

ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup kit reveal – France

Meafou, 24, touched down in Toulouse in December 2018, meaning he would only be eligible from the 2024 Six Nations Championship.

The giant second row forward, standing 2.03m tall and weighing in at 145kg, was not part of the initial 42-strong World Cup squad called up by France coach Fabien Galthie.

But Galthie had hoped to be able to add Meafou, who has committed his future to France, ahead of the World Cup.

READ | Are these 14 backs set to earn Springboks RWC selection?

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP TRAINING SQUAD:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Stade Francais), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).

Hookers: Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster).

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster), Jasper Wiese (Leicester).

Utility Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).