Springboks name replacement after tour-ending Ruan Nortje injury

Munster second row Jean Kleyn has been called up by the Springboks for their three-match Autumn Nations Series following a training ground injury to Ruan Nortje. The Boks are preparing this week for Sunday’s November opener away to Scotland but they have lost Nortje to a midweek leg injury.

Nortje will now fly home to South Africa and will be replaced by Rugby World Cup winner Kleyn, who will link up with the squad in Edinburgh on Friday from his base in Ireland.

An SA Rugby statement read: “Rugby World Cup-winning lock Jean Kleyn will join the Springboks in Edinburgh on Friday as a replacement for Ruan Nortje, who suffered a leg injury at training on Wednesday, which ruled him out of the tour.

“The 31-year-old Kleyn, who earned his seventh Test cap for the Springboks in the RWC final against New Zealand in France last year, returns to the national team for the first time this season after making a return to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in September for Irish club Munster following a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an eye injury.

“Nortje – who made a strong statement in the Boks’ engine room this season which saw him assist the team to The Rugby Championship title – hurt his leg during Wednesday’s field training session, and with only three Test matches on this tour, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus opted to draft Kleyn into the travelling squad.

“Kleyn’s international experience with five Test matches to his name for Ireland and seven for the Springbok as well as a RWC title, adds valuable experience to the Bok lock stocks for the tour, where he joins the likes of RG Snyman, Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth.”

Erasmus, who will name his team on Friday to face the Scots, said: “It’s sad to lose Ruan to injury, as he has had a fantastic season and really made a strong statement after injuries initially prompted his call-up to the squad. He certainly grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and we wish him luck with his recovery.

“Ruan’s injury opens the door for Jean to make a return to the national squad for the first time this season, and judging by his performances for Munster since making a comeback to the URC combined with his familiarity of our structures and being a regular in our team last season, we are excited to welcome him back.

“He has also played with most of the players in the squad and is familiar with the conditions in the UK as he is based in Ireland, so he should slot in with ease.”