Jean Kleyn: Springboks Star Determined to Earn Rassie Erasmus’ Trust Ahead of Rugby World Cup
- Jean Kleyn joined Gloucester with the ambition of reviving his Springboks career after missing the Nations Championship with a biceps tendon injury
- Gloucester sit top of the Gallagher Premiership and impressed against Champions Cup holders Union Bordeaux Bègles, boosting Kleyn's hopes of catching Rassie Erasmus's eye
- At 33, Kleyn believes age will not count against him, pointing to senior Springboks forwards still playing at the highest level
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Lock Jean Kleyn is targeting a Springboks recall and a place in South Africa's squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, banking on a strong start to his time at Gloucester to put his name back in front of head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Kleyn missed the southern hemisphere leg of the Nations Championship after sustaining a biceps tendon injury at the end of April. He has since joined Gloucester with a clear dual purpose: help the club reverse a run of underwhelming league finishes while rebuilding his case for international selection.
Gloucester's Rise Adds Weight to Kleyn's Bid
The English club had finished eighth or lower in three of the previous four Gallagher Premiership seasons and had not reached the play-offs consistently since 2011. Their Champions Cup form was similarly disappointing, with the club failing to reach the quarter-finals since 2008.
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That context makes their current position at the top of the Premiership standings all the more significant. Last Friday, Gloucester scored five tries against defending Champions Cup winners Union Bordeaux Bègles, denying the French side a winning start to their title defence. Kleyn described his teammates as having surprised Bordeaux Bègles with their intensity and bravery, adding that the squad is determined to make this season count.
He acknowledged that the team still has room to grow but praised the commitment shown across the squad since his arrival.
Erasmus Holds the Key to a Springboks Return
Standing at 6ft 8in and weighing around 19 stone, Kleyn offers considerable physical presence, though much of the attention on Gloucester's recruits has been directed at Welsh internationals Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake.
Erasmus is, however, well acquainted with the lock. He brought Kleyn to Munster in 2016, beginning a decade-long association with the Irish province during which Kleyn earned caps for Ireland under residency eligibility rules. Following changes to World Rugby's eligibility regulations in 2023, Erasmus selected him for South Africa.
At 33, Kleyn accepts that questions about his longevity are inevitable, but he pointed to fellow Springboks forwards Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager — both older than him — as evidence that Erasmus prioritises mobility and performance over age alone.
He also spoke about the significance of the Springboks jersey, describing it as something that extends beyond rugby because of the sense of unity and national pride the team generates across South Africa.
Bath Test Keeps Kleyn Grounded
Gloucester's attention now shifts to a home Premiership fixture against local rivals Bath at Kingsholm. The match follows a league defeat to Leicester, despite Gloucester collecting two bonus points. Kleyn suggested the result exposed a degree of complacency after two opening wins and said the squad is determined to respond with greater hunger against Bath.
A strong showing would give Kleyn another platform to demonstrate his value before the Springboks announce their squad for the autumn leg of the Nations Championship.
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Source: Briefly News
