There was some long term good news for the Springboks ahead of their tour of Europe later this year as World Cup winner Jean Kleyn looks set to be back in action in the next few weeks.
Kleyn, who was part of the Bok squad that won the World Cup in France last year, was sidelined during the Vodacom United Rugby Championship with an eye injury, which was initially not thought to be serious, but later turned out to be worse than expected.
From a short term injury, Kleyn missed most of the season with Munster as he had to head to the United States to consult an eye specialist for treatment and has subsequently missed the entire international season for the Springboks this year.
With the Boks facing a bit of an injury crisis at lock, there was some hope that he may be able to return for the final two matches of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, but that looks more likely to be for the end of year tour.
With the URC starting in earnest next week, Kleyn may be back in action in round one or two, with Munster coach Graham Rowntree saying his return is “imminent” in a URC round table on Monday.
“He has had a procedure,” the deadpanned Rowntree offered, without too much detail.
“He still has some ‘return to contact’ and complete a full week’s training. It looks like it is all on schedule for week one of URC at the moment.”
That will be good news for the Boks with RG Snyman out alongside the likes of Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert for the rest of the Rugby Championship, although it is hoped that they make a return for the end of year tour.
Eben Etzebeth, who is closing in on Victor Matfield’s record of Springbok caps, has been used extensively, as has Pieter-Steph du Toit, the latter who has filled in at lock and flank as was needed, but both could easily say they need a rest after some immense workloads put in over the past few months.
Salmaan Moerat missed out on the two New Zealand tests with concussion, and is likely to return for at least one, if not both tests against Argentina.