Springboks Hit by Another Injury Setback Ahead of Test Season After Siya Kolisi Blow
- Springboks face injury setback ahead of opening Test match against Italy on July 5, 2025
- South Africa played without captain Siya Kolisi in their 54-7 victory over the Barbarians in the Qatar Airways Cup
- Another player suffered injury in the Barbarians match, adding to the Springboks' injury woes as they prepare to face Italy in their next game
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The Springboks have suffered yet another injury setback ahead of their opening Test season clash against Italy on Saturday, July 5, 2025.
The South African rugby national team were without their captain, Siya Kolisi, when they faced the Barbarians in the Qatar Airways Cup, a match they won 54-7. However, the game ended with Jean Kleyn picking up an injury.
Kolisi was replaced by Jesse Kriel as the captain of the team against the Barbarians, with the coaches deciding not to risk the 34-year-old due to his injury.
Source: Getty Images
Kleyn out for Italy clash
The Springboks will be without one of their key players, Kleyn, for their opening match of the Test Season against Italy next week, after the Rugby World Cup winner was injured during their game against the Barbarians.
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Although the exact nature of the injury hasn’t been disclosed, Kleyn’s release from the squad and return to Ireland suggests he may be facing a significant period on the sidelines.
“We feel for Jean,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
“But injuries are part of the game, and we are fortunate to have good depth at lock within the squad, so there is no need for us to replace him at this stage.”
The Springboks travelled from Cape Town to Johannesburg on Sunday to begin preparations for their Incoming Series opener against Italy, set for Saturday, at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Source: Getty Images
Reactions as Kleyn is ruled out of Italy tie
Gerard O'Dwyer said:
"Jean and the Boys is just like when you kids goes to play with that one particular friend and always comes home hurt or sick ,😆"
rugby_ap wrote:
"Jean Kleyn out of the Bok squad with injury is really sh*t. Do feel for him big time. Would be quite jokes if we called up Ribbans though hey… how long until we can?"
Slipcatch added:
"Jean Kleyn out injured. No replacements will be call up. He is going back to Limerick."
Peter Desmond reacted:
"FFS, hopefully nothing serious for the big man. Vital to have him fit."
lmd_3212 commented:
"Do we need to call up another lock? Snyman, eben, lood, nortje, moerat, wiese… think we fine."
Ntsako_Mkhari_
"I just hope the injury is not too serious, we cant afford to continue losing some of our best players to injuries."
Jesse Kriel reacts after replacing Kolisi as Boks' captain
Briefly News earlier reported that Kriel broke his silence after being named Springboks captain in the absence of Siya Kolisi for the clash against the Barbarians over the weekend.
The Sharks star was part of the Boks team named by Rassie Erasmus, but suffered an injury before the match and had to be withdrawn from the squad.
Source: Briefly News
