The Springboks sprang a surprise by selecting Jean Kleyn in the Rugby Championship squad, but have had to jump through hoops to pick the South African-born Ireland international.
On Saturday, Jacques Nienaber named a training squad of 40 players for their next assignment, a three-week training camp in Pretoria from Sunday until Thursday, 29 June.
Kleyn – who played five Tests for Ireland after qualifying on residency grounds in September 2019, which included participating in the 2019 Rugby World Cup – will join the squad as a 41st member pending the outcome of an application filed by SA Rugby regarding the former DHL Stormers lock’s eligibility in terms of Regulation 8 and based on birth right.
The 29-year-old was a stalwart for Munster as the Irish club went unbeaten in five away games, including the final in Cape Town, to win the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
If approved, he would become the first South African to benefit from World Rugby’s change in eligibility laws. Samoa and Tonga have both been able to reclaim players capped by the All Blacks and Wallabies by using the new Regulation 8 criteria.
According to Regulation 8, in order to change nationality a capped player must:
– Not have played Test rugby for 36 months (three years)
– Either have been born in the country they wish to play for, or have a parent or grandparent born in that country
– Not have changed nationality using Regulation 8 before
Each case is subject to World Rugby’s regulation committee.
Kleyn, who was born and raised in Linden, Johannesburg, and came through the Western Province ranks, last played for Ireland on 12 October 2019 at the World Cup.
“When I was approached, I was overwhelmed by the opportunity to be part of the Springbok squad. I couldn’t let the chance pass,” Kleyn told Rapport.
“This opportunity that my home country is offering me is an honour that I never thought I would get.”
In addition to offering the Boks inside knowledge of Ireland’s systems, Kleyn has been called in to provide cover at No 4, due to the injuries suffered by Eben Etzebeth, who could return during the Rugby Championship, and Salmaan Moerat, who is likely to miss the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
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