Springbok star linked with move to France as problems arise with current club
With Top 14 teams hovering, Munster are preparing to lose Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok lock Jean Kleyn at the conclusion of the season.
Since joining Munster from the Stormers in 2016, Kleyn has been a pillar of the pack. He had a tremendous season, helping the Irish province win the United Rugby Championship earlier this year.
JEAN KLEYN LINKED WITH MOVE TO LYON
When his mandatory three-year standdown term ended earlier this year, the 30-year-old lock shifted his international allegiance. 2019 saw him make his Ireland Test debut after being eligible by residency.
The Springboks 2023 season would see Kleyn play a significant role, but his transfer has cast doubt on his Munster future.
As of right now, he will be considered an unqualified player for Munster, as Irish Provinces are only able to field a small number of players from other countries.
After the current URC campaign, Munster’s two Springbok locks, Kleyn and Rg Snyman, will have no more contracts.
Lyon has selected Kleyn as their priority target to replace departing lock Romain Taofifenua, who is expected to join Racing 92, according to a report from Midi Olympique.
LYON REINFORCING
Despite being a vital member of Lyon’s pack, Taofifenua announced his retirement from international rugby following the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The Lyon team was apparently unable to convince the second-rower to prolong his career at the club.
After announcing the re-signings of Leo Berdeu (2026), Killian Geraci (2026), and Beka Saghinadze (2027), Lyon are now believed to be focused on Kleyn.
The team will also need to find Demba Bamba a suitable successor, since he will be joining Taofifenua at Racing 92 for the upcoming season.
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The Springboks first opponents as World Champions revealed?
Once again, the Springboks are the world champions of rugby, and their opponents as the sport’s first kings have been unveiled.
Once again, the Springboks are the world champions of rugby, and their opponents as the sport’s first kings have been unveiled.
This term, the November international window has been canceled due to the Rugby World Cup taking place in France during that time.
WHEN WILL THE SPRINGBOKS PLAY AGAIN?
That is good news for the URC teams who get all their internationals back for a busy end to the year, after a short two-week rest period.
As a result the next time the Springboks are set to be in action is in the 2024 July international window.
The Springboks are set to welcome the only team to beat them at the Rugby World Cup, Ireland, in the July window.
The series has been slated to be a two-match series with Ireland coming to South Africa after already competing in the 2024 Six Nations.
By the time Ireland visits South Africa, they very well may have reclaimed their top spot in the world rankings. They will have five Six Nations matches left to gain ground on the Springboks.
Even though the schedule needs to be finalized, Irish fans can already express interest in travel packages to South Africa.
In the July window, SA Rugby may try to add one or two more international matches, maybe against tier-two countries like Georgia.
The most likely locations for Ireland’s two Test matches in South Africa are the Cape Town Stadium and Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
MOTIVATED TO STAY ON TOP
The Springboks will now be challenged to maintain their dominance between Rugby World Cups.
Skipper Siya Kolisi thanked South Africa for its support and promised more to come from the Springboks.
“As a Springbok team we wanted to give South African people hope, but those who welcomed us back at OR Tambo International Airport from France, and all along the trophy tour routes and airports, gave us hope to and inspired us to keep showing that regardless of your upbringing, race, religion and background, you can achieve anything,” said Kolisi.
“We said before the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand that were playing for the 60 million plus people in South Africa, and the support we witnessed first-hand on the trophy tour in the last few days was breath-taking.
“It was special to see the scenes when we arrived home after the 2019 World Cup, but this welcome was something else.
“We said we wanted to help build the nation through rugby, and with tens of thousands of people from all walks of life in all four provinces running next to the bus and cheering us on, we witnessed a united nation, and we hope we can continue to see this in society as well.”
“The Springboks may only take the field again next year, but the lessons we’ve learned over the last few days will continue to motivate us as a team,” Kolisi continued.
Once more, we regret not being able to visit every province and community; however, due to our need to return to our clubs, this was not feasible.
But we are aware that we would have gotten the same fervor and support in every province.
“I’m grateful, South Africa. We cherish you.
