Munster duo Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman named in South Africa World Cup squad

Munster locks Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman have been named in South Africa’s World Cup squad.

Munster second rows Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman have both been included in South Africa’s squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France.

Kleyn, who featured for Ireland at the 2019 World Cup, is the headline selection by Jacques Nienaber as he only made his Springboks debut this summer.

The 6’8 bruiser was famously picked over Devin Toner the last time Ireland were preparing for a World Cup and he went on to win a total of five Irish caps.

However, with the last of them coming in 2019, Kleyn inadvertently served the three-year stand-down period required to revert to your country of birth under new World Rugby rules.

Kleyn  and Snyman picked for South Africa

The same rules have seen the likes of Malakai Fekitoa (24 New Zealand caps), Israel Folau (73 Australia caps) and Charles Piutau (17 New Zealand caps) play for Ireland’s other group rivals Tonga since last year.

Snyman’s selection also makes for eye-catching news – but in a different way – as he has done remarkably well to force his way into South Africa’s World Cup plans considering the injury-plagued few years he has endured since winning the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019.

The Springboks’ chances of retaining the cup are not helped by a few high profile players missing out through injury. First choice outhalf Handre Pollard, star centre Lukhanyo Am and imposing seccond row Lood de Jager – all of whom were so important in 2019 – are not available this time around.

World Cup shaping up.

That comes as good news for Ireland who face South Africa in the group stages but, as known for some time now, whether Ireland come first or second in their group is not of the usual importance as either France or New Zealand await in the quarter-finals.

France would be considered the stronger of the two teams but the All Blacks have been getting back to their best since Joe Schmidt joined their coaching ticket last August.

The Kiwis were crowned as Rugby Championship champions last week with a comprehensive victory over Australia and have won all of their test games this year.