SPRINGBOKS LOCK SET FOR SECOND APPEARANCE SINCE RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL VICTORY
Munster have been dealt a massive boost ahead of the start of the new season as Springboks lock Jean Kleyn is back to full fitness.
The tighthead lock has played just once for the Irish province since coming off the bench in South Africa’s 12-11 victory over the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final.
Jean Kleyn returns
The 31-year-old was a crucial cog in Graham Rowntree’s side’s run to the United Rugby Championship (URC) title in the 2022/23 season playing 19 of their 21 matches in the competition.
However, after winning the World Cup with the Boks, Kleyn sustained an eye injury in his first game back for Munster in what was his one and only match for the team last season.
This has resulted in him missing all of the Springboks’ matches to date in 2024 which included two Tests against Ireland – who he represented at the 2019 Rugby World Cup racking up five caps in total.
Munster tackle Connacht at Thomond Park in their opening match of the new URC season and the province has confirmed that Kleyn is available for selection.
“There is good news for Jean Kleyn (eye) & Ethan Coughlan (leg) as they have returned to full training,” a Munster injury update read.
“Kleyn returns having missed the majority of last season while Coughlan has recovered from an injury sustained against Bath last month.”
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Munster were hammered by an extensive injury list at the tail-end of last season and start their new campaign without several of their star men.
The injury update stated that Liam Coombes and Jack Daly will look to complete their return-to-play protocols after sustaining head injuries in the pre-season match against Gloucester earlier this month.
Meanwhile, prop Dave Kilcoyne is increasing his training load after a shoulder injury. Diarmuid Kilgallen will miss the start of the season as he will undergo a period of rehabilitation for a leg injury.
Brian Gleeson (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Tom Ahern (ankle), Rory Scannell (ankle), Paddy Patterson (knee), Edwin Edogbo (Achilles), and Roman Salanoa (knee) will also miss the opener against Connacht as they continue their rehab programs.
Boost for Boks
Kleyn’s return to fitness will also be a boost for the Springboks ahead of the November internationals with Rassie Erasmus dealing with somewhat of a locking crisis this year.
The Munster star missed the July internationals and Rugby Championship matches with South Africa starting the year without him and fellow World Cup winner Lood de Jager.
During the Ireland series, Franco Mostert broke his leg while an injury in training resulted in RG Snyman missing the Rugby Championship matches against Australia and New Zealand.
Mostert, Snyman and Kleyn now look on track to be available for selection for the November internationals while De Jager will only return to action in January.
2024-09-16T12:44:39Z dg43tfdfdgfd