The five-time capped Irish lock has switched international allegiances.
Munster and Ireland second row Jean Kleyn was named as a shock inclusion in the latest Springbok training squad.
The 41-man roster was named ahead of the Rugby Championship, in which the Boks will face off against familiar foes in the All Blacks, Wallabies and Argentina in the lead up to Autumn’s World Cup.
Kleyn has been at Munster for the past seven seasons. (Credit: Sportsfile)Kleyn, who represented Ireland at the last World Cup in Japan, is South African born but qualified to play for Ireland through residency grounds.
He has been named as a “pending member” of the panel, as the South African rugby union await the outcome of an application submitted to World Rugby regarding the changing of his international allegiances.
The Springboks believe that they will be successful in their application, citing Regulation 8 of World Rugby rules and what they describe as Kleyn’s “birth right”.
Kleyn has not played for Ireland since earning his fifth cap in the 2020 Six nations, but has recently seen calls for his reintroduction following a tremendous season at provincial level.
Forming an imperious second row partnership with fellow Ireland international Tadhg Beirne, Kleyn was a crucial part of the Munster pack which led the province to its first silverware in 12 years.
Former Munster head coach Rassie Erasmus is now the Boks Director of Rugby. (Credit: Sportsfile)Defeating his former side the Stormers in the URC final in Cape Town last month, Kleyn appeared to be on the cusp of a return to the Ireland set up.
However, following yet another snub from head coach Andy Farrell, it appears the Munster man has given up hope on donning the green jersey once more, and instead set his sights on a miraculous return to South African rugby.
Former Munster head coach Rassie Erasmus, who is currently in position as South Africa’s Director of Rugby, was the man who brought Kleyn to Ireland initially, and now appears to be the one trying to lure him away.
A final decision from World Rugby regarding Kleyn’s attempted switch is expected in the coming days, as the Boks build up to their opening Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies in just over three weeks time.
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