Lock Jean Kleyn says that he will be fulfilling a “childhood dream” by making his South Africa debut against Australia this weekend.
The Munster second-row will become a dual international when he takes to the field against the Wallabies having also played for Ireland during his career.
Kleyn earned five caps for the northern hemisphere outfit in 2019 after qualifying through residency, but became re-eligible for the Boks via the change in World Rugby’s laws.
With Andy Farrell deciding not to call him up for the Rugby World Cup, despite his impressive form for Munster last season, South Africa decided to pounce.
He has been named in their starting line-up for the Rugby Championship encounter against Australia, where the 29-year-old will partner Marvin Orie.
Always be different
“It will always be different, you know, it’s your home country,” Kleyn told reporters.
“Obviously it was a great honour to play for Ireland as well but I didn’t grow up as a young boy watching Paul O’Connell play rugby thinking ‘jeez, I want to play in his jersey’. I was watching Bakkies Botha run around smashing guys and thinking ‘one day, one day’.
“So, you know, it’s very much a childhood dream coming true and here I am sitting here where I never thought I’d get the opportunity.”
After missing out on the Ireland squad, Kleyn admitted that he was stunned to be called up by the Springboks.
“I was as shocked as the rest of the world when I got the call,” he said.
“My journey (here) was a bit of a round trip because Rassie (Erasmus) was the person who took me to Munster, and four years later he was also the person to bring me back. It’s a massive honour and an opportunity I could not pass by.
“Playing for the Springboks comes with a big responsibility. The Boks give hope to a lot of people, so when you wear the jersey, the country’s hopes and dreams rest on your shoulders.”
Munster team-mates
Kleyn is joined in the 23 by Munster team-mate RG Snyman, who has been selected among the replacements.
Snyman has endured his injury struggles over the past few years, suffering with two ACL ruptures, and is set to make his first international appearance since the 2019 World Cup final.
“It is incredible to have RG here. We are great friends and I’ve been learning a lot from him here to get me up to speed with the systems. If it works out that we can play together, it would be a special moment and a new memory,” Kleyn added.
READ MORE: Duane Vermeulen captains Springboks as ex-Ireland lock Jean Kleyn debuts against Wallabies
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