Kleyn clearance 'important' for Boks
REACTION: World Rugby’s decision to clear Ireland lock Jean Kleyn to represent South Africa is a huge boost for the Springboks.
Kleyn’s dream of playing in his second successive World Cup became a reality after he was cleared to play for the country of his birth, defending champions South Africa.
The 29-year-old qualified for Ireland through residency – having played for Munster from 2016 – and played for his adopted country five times.
His last appearance was in the win over Samoa in a pool match at the 2019 World Cup.
World Rugby on Thursday cleared him for Springbok selection under new eligibility rules, declaring he fulfilled ‘birthright transfer’ requirements.
The regulation – which came into force at the start of 2022 – allows 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 their last selection for an adopted country.
Kleyn has made more than 130 appearances for Munster and was a part of the side that beat the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship Final in Cape Town last month.
He has been in a camp with the Springbok 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 on July 8.
South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus – who earlier this month revealed that they had initially opposed the ruling – said was delighted about the confirmation from World Rugby that Kleyn is eligible for selection.
“Jean’s clearance is great news for the team in this important season,” said Erasmus.
“His international experience increases our depth at lock, while at the same time boosting the experience in the squad in a year in which every match is vital in our preparations for the World Cup.”
(Continue below …)
* Meanwhile, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said his squad were on track with their preparations for the Rugby Championship after wrapping up the second week of their training camp in Pretoria on Friday.
The squad have been hard at work on and off the field in the last two weeks for their opening Test of the season against Australia at Loftus Versfeld, with the training camp comprising numerous field and gym sessions as well as team meetings.
The group will re-assemble in Pretoria on Sunday for the final week of the training camp, before entering the Australia Test week a week later.
“Things are coming together nicely,” said Nienaber.
“The intensity of our training sessions is good and it’s pleasing to see how we are progressing.
“We had a good base to build from thanks to the camps earlier in the season, and we’ve built on that steadily since getting together.
“We also started zooming into the Tests against Australia and New Zealand this week because it’s vital that we are well prepared going into those Test matches and have a good Rugby Championship campaign before entering our World Cup warm-up matches and the global spectacle itself later in the season.”
The Springboks will play three Tests in the abbreviated version of the Rugby Championship against Australia (Pretoria, July 8), New Zealand (Auckland, July 15) and Argentina (Johannesburg, July 29).
The team will then play three World Cup warm-up games – against Argentina (Buenos Aires, August 5), Wales (Cardiff, August 19) and New Zealand (London, August 25).
They then travel to Corsica for a one-week camp en route to Toulon for their opening World Cup fixture – against Scotland in Marseille on Sunday, September 10.
