Munster star Jean Kleyn now eligible to play for Springboks

Former Ireland international Jean Kleyn has been cleared for a birthright transfer and is now eligible to play for the Springboks in the Rugby Championship.

World Rugby confirmed the decision on Friday 23 June with Kleyn set to join the Springboks Rugby Championship squad.

JEAN KLEYN CLEARED TO PLAY FOR SPRINGBOKS

Under World Rugby regulations players can switch international allegiances if they haven’t played Test rugby for three years or more.

According to the altered conditions, Players can change allegiances if they were born in the country they want to represent or have a parent or grandparent born there.

This kind of switch can only been done once in a player’s career and cannot be reversed.

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STARTING A TREND

When the rule change was instituted it appeared to be for the benefit of Pacific Island nations that could gain veteran Test players that other nations have deemed surplus to requirements.

However, the rule change does open up a pathway back into Test rugby for a number of South African-born stars who made their name in foreign international teams.

“Approval of this landmark regulatory change is the culmination of detailed and widespread modeling and consultation across the game,” World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said in the announcement.

“The change recognizes the modern professional rugby environment without compromising the integrity of the international game.

“We believe that this is the fairest way to implement progressive change that puts players first while also having the potential to support a growing, increasingly competitive international men’s and women’s game.”

SPRINGBOK 2023 FIXTURES:

Castle Lager Rugby Championship:

Saturday, 8 July – Springboks vs Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)

Saturday, 15 July – Springboks vs New Zealand (Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland)

Saturday, 29 July – Springboks vs Argentina (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)

RWC warm-up fixtures:

Saturday, 5 August – Springboks v Argentina (Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires)

Saturday, 19 August – Springboks vs Wales (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)

Friday, 25 August – Springboks vs New Zealand (Twickenham, London)

RWC fixtures:

Sunday, 10 September – Springboks v Scotland (Stade Marseille, Marseille)

Sunday, 17 September – Springboks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Saturday, 23 September – Springboks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)

Sunday, 1 October – Springboks v Tonga (Stade Marseille, Marseille)

Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals

Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals

Saturday, 28 October – Final

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