Jean Kleyn Embraces Physicality, Draws Parallels Between Gloucester and South Africa

Giant Springbok lock Jean Kleyn has expressed his affinity for the core physical elements of rugby, stating, "I love to scrum. I love to maul. I love to tackle. I pretty much fall into that cookie cutter. The physical parts of the game interest me more than your showy stuff on the edges."

Kleyn, who recently joined Gloucester, sees a similar mentality at his new club to that of the South African national team, noting the presence of "amazing talent" in the West Country.

This perspective comes as Kleyn seeks to force his way back into Rassie Erasmus's Springbok squad, aiming to be part of South Africa's push for a third consecutive World Cup title next year. He was a key figure in their 2023 World Cup victory, lifting the William Webb Ellis Trophy alongside teammates like Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, and Franco Mostert.

Before his World Cup triumph, Kleyn spent a decade with Munster, where he won the United Rugby Championship in 2023. He represented Ireland five times in 2019 before switching his allegiance to South Africa four years later, the nation of his birth.

Kleyn is focused on his immediate contributions to Gloucester, stating, "For me, it's about the next four weeks just putting as big a shift as I can for Gloucester and hopefully the Springbok coaches see that and think I’m worthy of the jersey again."

He recently celebrated a win with Gloucester in his debut match against Exeter. The 6ft 8in second-rower made the move to Gloucester this summer, turning down potentially more lucrative offers elsewhere to join what he perceives as a team with a strong work ethic.

His commitment to the physical aspects of the game aligns with the demanding nature of international rugby, particularly for a South African side known for its power and physicality on the world stage.