Get a comprehensive understanding of Jean Kleyn by examining his biography

Get a comprehensive understanding of Jean Kleyn by examining his biography

Kevin Omuya
February 23, 2024 at 5:48 AM

There is international intrigue, talent, and drive in Jean Kleyn's rugby adventure. He was born in South Africa but played for the Irish and Munster rugby teams before choosing to play for his country's national rugby union squad. Read on to learn about his remarkable career in Munster, his brush with the Irish Rugby World Cup call-up, and his current success with the Springboks.

Jean Kleyn's rugby skills are undeniable
Jean Kleyn was born in South Africa but played for the Irish team before representing South Africa. Photo: Harry Murphy, David Fitzgerald/Getty Images
Source: UGC

Table of Сontents:

Jean represents his country, SA, and Munster, an Irish United Rugby Championship club, as a professional rugby union player from South Africa. He substituted in South Africa's 2023 World Cup victory over New Zealand. His physical prowess and dedication soon caught the attention of local coaches, setting him on a path that would lead him to the pinnacle of rugby success.

Profile summary

Title

Details

Full name

Jean Kleyn

Gender

Male

Date of birth

August 26, 1993

Place of birth

Johannesburg, South Africa

Age

30 years old as of 2024

Nationality

South African

Ethnicity

Mixed

Height

2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)

Weight

123 kg (19.4 st; 271 lb)

Marital status

Married

Wife

Aisling Kleyn

Profession

South African professional rugby union player

Position

Lock

Club

Munster

Social media

Instagram

Jean Kleyn's biography

Jean Kleyn was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 8, 1993. His height is 2.03 metres (6 feet 8 inches), and his weight is 123 kilogrammes (19 stone 5.17 pounds; 271.17 pounds). He is a 30-year-old rugby player from South Africa who plays as a lock for Munster Rugby in Ireland.

Jean Kleyn's biography
Top 5 facts about Jean Kleyn. Photo: Harry Murphy/Getty Images
Source: Original

Rugby is an integral part of South African culture, and he displayed early promise as a player while growing up in the country. His natural talent and unwavering commitment to rugby paved the way for a professional career.

Due to her residency, Kleyn could play five times for Ireland in 2019. After that, in 2023, he made his debut for South Africa after switching national teams.

Jean Kleyn's family

Jean Kleyn's family
Jean Kleyn with his wife, Aisling, and their child. Photo: @jeankleyn (modified by author)
Source: UGC

His parents are from England, his brother Johan resides in Dublin, and his wife Aisling, originally from Galway, is in Paris with their newborn son Eli Noah. Kleyn has a house in Limerick.

Jean wed Aisling Kleyn, his lifelong lover, and she appeared to be a loving wife. Jean publicly acknowledged how much it had cost them, but they had remained united upon receiving her bachelor's degree in business.

Roosters secure An anniversary party was held for Jean Kleyn and his wife just before the World Cup. On August 15, 2021, Jean Kleyn and his wife exchanged wedding vows.

Did Jean Kleyn play for Ireland?

Jean Kleyn singing Ireland's national team teammates
Tevita Manumua, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie, and Marco van Staden (L-R) before a Rugby match in Bordeaux, France, in the Rugby World Cup 2023. Photo: Alex Livesey
Source: Getty Images

Joe Schmidt included Kleyn in Ireland's World Cup roster after he debuted for the Irish in a pre-Japan 2019 warmup match against Italy and featured in matches against England and Wales. After playing in the pool victories over Russia and Samoa, Andy Farrell neglected Kleyn.

He substituted in South Africa's 2023 World Cup victory over New Zealand. Due to her residency, Kleyn could play five times for Ireland in 2019. After that, in 2023, he made his debut for South Africa after switching national teams.

Has Jean Kleyn joined the Springbok rugby team?

World Rugby reportedly gave the player the go-ahead to transfer from the Irish national side to the Springboks in June 2023. He had previously played for the Stormers. A rule change was implemented in 2022 that allowed players with Test caps to represent a second national team if they were eligible.

Jean Kleyn's injury

While he recovers from a persistent eye ailment, Jean Kleyn will have knee surgery and will not play again this season. According to Munster, Kleyn's choice to have knee surgery and the fact that his eye problem is "slow to recover" has virtually ended his season.

The World Cup winner has been out of commission since November 25th, 2017, when he hurt his eye playing rugby in the URC match against Leinster. South Africa head Rassie Erasmus will indeed be concerned by the news.

International career

Jean Kleyn wins a lineout
Jean Kleyn of South Africa wins the lineout during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match against Romania on September 17, 2023, in Bordeaux, France. Photo: Adam Pretty
Source: Getty Images

Joseph Schmidt included Kleyn in his 44-man training group for the 2019 Rugby World Cup after she qualified to play for Ireland through residence on August 8, 2019. He started the 29-10 victory over Italy in Ireland's World Cup warm-up match on August 10, 2019, marking his debut for the national team.

Jean competed at the 2019 Rugby World Cup for Ireland, where he was one of 31 players chosen. He started the team's 35-0 victory over Russia and came off the bench in their 47-5 pool-final victory over Samoa.

Kleyn did not make Ireland's 2023 World Cup training team. With World Rugby's blessing, he was allowed to attend South Africa's training camp in preparation for the World Cup, even though he had not played for Ireland in almost three years. Kleyn was named to South Africa's 33-man World Cup roster after making his debut in a 43-12 victory against Australia on July 8, 2023, in the opening round of the 2023 Rugby Championship.

How many caps does Jean Kleyn have for Ireland?

During the most recent World Cup in Japan four years ago, Kleyn earned his fifth and last cap for Ireland. After a hiatus from international rugby, the rules were amended to let players compete for two countries they qualify to represent. The 2023 tournament was the first World Cup after this change.

Jean Kleyn's accolades

With his help, Western Province won the Under-19 Provincial Championship in 2012 and the Under-21 Provincial Championship in 2013, giving him two medals. Not only did he see extensive action for the first team in 2014, but he also added three additional appearances for the under-19 provincial championship stats. Listed here are further accolades:

  • Rugby World Cup 2023: Winner
  • South Africa: Rugby World Cup Winner 2023
  • Munster: United Rugby Championship Winner 2022–23
  • Western Province: Currie Cup Winner 2014
  • Individual: United Rugby Championship dream team selected 2021–22
Jean Kleyn's awards
Jean Kleyn of South Africa poses with the Webb Ellis Cup at Stade de France on October 29, 2023. Photo: @jeankleyn (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Jean Kleyn's salary

Reportedly, Leinster has extended an attractive contract offer to Springboks lock RG Snyman, enticing him to transfer from Munster to Leinster for the upcoming season. Munster has announced that the winner of the Rugby World Cup will be leaving the team after the season.

Several teams in the South African United Rugby Championship have shown interest in signing him for the upcoming season, and Bath is among them. This is even though he has not played much for his club.

According to Rugby Pass, Leinster offered him a contract for €500,000 (R10 million) every season, significantly more than any other suitor had offered.

Final word

From his humble beginnings in South Africa to his rise to prominence in Irish rugby, Jean Kleyn's story is one of talent, commitment, and tenacity. As a result of his work in club and international rugby, he is now widely considered an indispensable part of the rugby community.

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Authors
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Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.
Tags
South African Rugby Union (SARU)Rugby World Cup