Good news for the Springboks as World Cup star Jean Kleyn returns to fitness

The tighthead lock has played just once since coming off the bench in South Africa's 12-11 victory over the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final.

Kleyn sustained an eye injury in his first game back for Munster after the World Cup in what was his only match for the team last season.

This has resulted in him missing all of the Springboks' matches to date in 2024 which included two Tests against Ireland â- who he represented at the 2019 Rugby World Cup racking up five caps in total.

Munster tackle Connacht at Thomond Park in their opening match of the new URC season and have confirmed that Kleyn is available for selection.

"There is good news for Jean Kleyn as he has returned to full training," a Munster injury update read. "Kleyn returns having missed the majority of last season."

Kleyn's return to fitness will also be a boost for the Springboks ahead of the November internationals as Rassie Erasmus continues to deal with a lock crisis.

South Africa starting the year without the Irish-based second-rower and fellow World Cup winner Lood de Jager.

During the Ireland series, Franco Mostert broke his leg in training, and both RG Snyman and Salmaan Moerat also joined the injury list during the Rugby Championship.

Mostert, Snyman, Moerat and Kleyn now look on track to be available for selection for the November internationals while De Jager will only return to action in January.

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