First Ireland international to reach RWC final reflects on experience

Former Ireland international Jean Kleyn has reflected on his incredible 2023 season and switching allegience to the Springboks.

At the outset of the term, Kleyn was a Munster contracted former Ireland international with seemingly little chance of heading to the Rugby World Cup.Kleyn still can’t quite believe that he is at another World Cup and this time is in the Green and Gold he dreamed of donning as a child.“It’s a strange one because if you’d asked me six months ago if I at all thought I had any chance of being here at the World Cup final playing for the Springboks, I would have told you you are absolutely insane.

Kleyn says that Munster supporters have reached out to him to say that they are backing the Springboks after Ireland’s quarter-final exit.“I’ve been absolutely inundated with messages from Munster supporters – obviously only after Ireland fell out,” said Kleyn.“The support was really heartfelt from a lot of Munster fans and it made it a lot easier for me because I thought it would be quite a negative reaction when I declared for the Springboks.

“From my history with Irish media, I figured there would be a few negative articles but it was resoundingly positive, so I was really happy about that.”

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