🔥 Trending Jean Kleyn: Springbok Lock's Move to England and Family Life

Jean Kleyn is a South African professional rugby union player known for his role as a lock for the South Africa national team, the Springboks, and for his club career in both Ireland and England ¹. He has gained significant attention for his international switch from Ireland to South Africa and his participation in the 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning squad ³⁶.

Early Life and Career

Born on August 26, 1993, Jean Kleyn began his professional rugby career in South Africa ¹⁵. He later moved to Ireland, where he played for Munster Rugby in the United Rugby Championship ²⁵.

International Career Switch

Initially, Kleyn represented Ireland internationally. However, he made a notable switch to represent his birth country, South Africa. This transition allowed him to be called up to the Springboks squad for the first time in 2023 ³⁶.

Rugby World Cup Success

Kleyn quickly made an impact with the Springboks. He was selected for the 2023 Rugby World Cup team, where he played a part in South Africa's triumphant campaign, including coming on as a replacement during their World Cup final win against New Zealand ³⁵. His presence on the field is noted for his height and skill at scrum time ⁶.

Recent Club Movements

After a significant period with Munster Rugby, where he played 760 minutes across the 2025/2026 United Rugby Championship season, scoring one try and completing 142 tackles, Kleyn has recently made another club move ². As of 2026, he has relocated his family to England and joined the PREM Rugby club Gloucester ¹⁴⁷. This move marked an emotional farewell to Limerick, Ireland, where he and his family had established roots ⁴⁷.