Jean Kleyn sidelined as Springboks prepare for Castle Lager series

The Springboks are facing a setback ahead of their eagerly anticipated Castle Lager Incoming Series against Italy, with lock Jean Kleyn officially ruled out due to an injury sustained during their recent emphatic victory over the Barbarians.

The towering forward played a crucial role alongside his lock partner, Lood de Jager, but will now return to his Irish club, Munster, to begin rehabilitation.

In a commanding display on Saturday, the Springboks triumphed with a scoreline of 54-7, but the joy of the win has been somewhat tarnished by the unfortunate injury to Kleyn. Head coach Rassie Erasmus expressed sympathy for the versatile lock, stating, “We feel for Jean, but injuries are part of the game. 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.”

As the team transitions from Cape Town to Johannesburg, they are gearing up for their first official Test match of the season, scheduled for Saturday, 5 July, at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. The Springboks made the journey on Sunday to kick-start their preparations for this crucial opening match against the Italians.

The fixture against Italy is not just a standalone match; it is the first of three encounters in the series, which will see the Springboks face Italy again a week later at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, before concluding the series against Georgia at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday, 19 July.

After a day of travel and recovery, the Springboks’ players will hit the training ground on Monday to strategically plan for the challenge ahead. With a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, the team remains positive about their chances despite the loss of Kleyn.