Munster lock Jean Kleyn has been called up by South Africa ahead of the Rugby Championship after being left out of Ireland's Rugby World Cup training squad.
Kleyn, who was born in Johannesburg, has five caps for Ireland but has not made a squad since the 2019 World Cup. The 29-year-old was again overlooked by coach Andy Farrell when he named his squad for this year's tournament in France a fortnight ago, with second row options James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Ryan Baird, Iain Henderson, Joe Mccarthy and Kieran Treadwell all chosen ahead of him.
But the former Stormers man is now in with a chance of making it to the World Cup after all after being named in the preliminary 40-man South African squad for next month's Rugby Championship,
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While the move is yet to be officially signed off by World Rugby’s regulations committee, that should merely be a formality, with the Munster man qualifying through birth while also meeting the criteria of not having played for Ireland for at least three years.
Reacting to the call-up, Kleyn said: "I was blown away with this opportunity to be a part of the Springbok squad. I could not pass up on it when it was offered."
“Munster has shaped me as a person and player. It’s where I have built a life with my young family but to be offered this opportunity by my home country is an honour I never thought I would receive."
Kleyn's inclusion in South Africa's Rugby Championship squad is not a guarantee that he will make the cut for the World Cup, however, as he will have to contend with fellow locks Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Marvin Orie and Munster teammate RG Snyman for a place in the squad.
With loose forward Pieter Steph du Toit also in the mix, Kleyn is still very much an outside bet to make it to France, with Jacques Nienaber set to name his final squad on August 8.
However, he is expected to feature for the 'Boks at some point during the Rugby Championship, with Rassie Erasmus reportedly planning to deploy two teams during the tournament, sending the strongest line-up to face New Zealand on July 15 after fielding a virtual 'B' team against Australia the week before.
“If there aren’t a lot of injuries, we’ll want to send 15 guys [to New Zealand] earlier," said Erasmus when asked about his plans for the Championship. "In the event of a number of injuries, we will fall back on our strongest team for both Tests."
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