Jean Kleyn trades Ireland for Springboks photo Ball Carrier Twitter. Rugby World Cup. RWC

Jean Kleyn has made the official allegiance switch from Ireland to the Springboks. Photo: Ball Carrier/Twitter.

Springboks to unleash poached Ireland lock in Rugby Champs

Munster’s South African-born lock Jean Kleyn is set to officially switch allegiance from Ireland to the Springboks.

by Mariette Adams

18-06-2023 13:47

in Springboks

Jean Kleyn has made the official allegiance switch from Ireland to the Springboks. Photo: Ball Carrier/Twitter.

Former Ireland lock Jean Kleyn is in line for his first-ever Springbok appearance in the Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies in Pretoria.

LIVE UPDATES: SPRINGBOKS’ ROAD TO THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

Kleyn was a big star for Munster in their United Rugby Championship campaign and had some in Ireland calling for his return to the national team squad.

But following his omission from the Irish squad, South Africa sprang a surprise by calling up Kleyn for their Rugby Championship squad.

ALSO READ: Springboks boss says ‘it’s vital that players are on the same page’

KLEYN TO MAKE HIS DEBUT FOR SPRINGBOKS

According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, Kleyn has been training at full steam with the Springboks and is making a good case for selection in South Africa’s opening Test of the year against the Wallabies on 8 July.

The door has opened for Kleyn as centurion Eben Etzebeth won’t be available for the Test due to a shoulder injury.

Kleyn’s Munster teammate RG Snyman could make his first Test appearance since the 2019 World Cup, against the All Blacks, as he is expected to be part of the team that travels to Auckland before the Test against Australia.

ALSO READ: Springboks celebrate Youth Day with vulnerable Pretoria youngsters