Bok lock Kleyn a changed man before Ireland reunion

Saturday's Rugby World Cup game between champions South Africa and Ireland will be a unique one for Springbok lock Jean Kleyn.

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The 30-year-old could be in line for his sixth Test appearance for his country of birth after he was picked on the bench for the potential Pool B decider.

Four years ago during the last World Cup in Japan, Kleyn won the last of his five caps for Ireland.

This World Cup is the first edition of the competition since laws changed to allow a player to feature for a second country they qualify to represent, following a stand-down period from international rugby.

"The two are quite detached to me. I was a different person back then," Kleyn told reporters after Sunday's 76-0 win over Romania.

"I was much younger, I paid a lot more attention to what people said compared to now, especially in the media.

"There was massive pride for me to represent Ireland back then and now I have a massive opportunity to be able to represent my country of birth," the Munster second-row added.

The likes of ex-All Blacks Lima Sopoaga and Charles Piutau and former Australia flyhalf Christian Leali'ifano have also benefited from the evolution of the rule to now turn out for Pacific Island countries.

Some have criticised the move from World Rugby, including the body's former vice-chairman and ex-Argentina scrumhalf Agustin Pichot.

"It's a lot of outside noise to me, I try to focus on what happens inside the team and my family," Kleyn said.

"I try to focus on the internal conversations I'm having.

"I know the reasons why I do things and I know those reasons will change," he added.

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